Free Drug Samples
From Pharmacy Drug Guide
Free drug samples are available for both prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Samples are distributed by physicians and pharmaceutical companies. Most prescription drug samples are given out by doctors, while OTC drug samples are offered through direct mail marketing, local pharmacies, or by direct request from the manufacturers.
Drug samples are administered to help patients save money before purchasing an expensive medication that is not effective for them. It allows the patient to try out the medication first. In addition, free samples can also help patients that are struggling financially save money on more expensive medications by getting them for free.
 Flickr: Simon J. Newbury | |
| Available for | Both prescription and OTC medications |
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| Volume | 18 billion dollars worth of free samples distributed annually (2008)[1] |
| Effect on patient cost | Patients who receive free prescription drug samples spend 40% more than patients who do not during the six months they recive samples[1] |
| Banned by | Some medical groups[2] |
| Free samples generally available for | Newer medications[2] |
| Disclaimer | The information provided by PharmacyDrugGuide.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not take any action based on the information on this page without consulting a physician. |
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How to Get Free Drug Samples
Where to Get Free Drug Samples
Free prescription drug samples can be obtained from a patient's personal physician, and are administered for a variety of ailments and conditions, including immediate illnesses like sinus infections and strep throat, and long-term conditions like asthma and birth control. Most samples are administered only after a patient has seen their doctor. Over the counter drug samples, on the other hand, are easier to obtain, and do not require a doctor's visit. Patients can obtain such samples through the following methods:
- Contact the pharmaceutical company directly. Ask about obtaining free drug samples for a specific OTC drug product. Many companies will already have programs for administering such samples to potential customers. Samples are usually sent by direct mail, and may take up to six weeks for delivery.
- Sometimes stores like Walmart and Target offer free samples of OTC medications. These can be obtained by checking out the store's official website for sample information, or going to the store in person during in-store sample days.
Types of Free Drug Samples
Prescription drug samples are supplied to doctors by pharmaceutical company representatives, and are usually for new, brand name prescription drugs. Doctors can then administer these to patients free of charge.[3] This not only saves the patient money, but also allows patients to test out a specific drug first, determining its effectiveness and monitoring for possible side effects.
Over the counter (OTC) drug samples are made available to the public by the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture them. These are usually offered as single dosages, and are available by standard mail when consumers request the samples directly from the company. Samples may also be sent to the consumer's home as part of direct mail marketing campaigns.
Free Drug Sample Concerns
For patients that only require medication for a short amount of time, free drug samples can reduce costs. However, for those patients trying out free drug samples for long-term ailments like asthma, the future drug costs may outweigh the benefits of the free samples. This is because most free samples are for brand name drugs, and a patient's doctor will only have a small amount to administer at the outset. When a patients asks for more, their doctor will have to write them a prescription, and the brand name drug will be much more expensive than the generic version.
The dosages listed on free sample packages usually are for adults. Parents who receive free drug samples from the pediatrician should make sure they understand the appropriate dose for their child and not rely on the package information.[4]
Also See: Advil Free Samples, Advil Coupons, Plavix Free Samples, Aleve Free Samples, Abilify Free Samples, Prilosec Free Samples, Ambien Free Samples
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