So, you have been approached by an eager pharmacy rep saying "I didn't know you guys were here! Want some samples?"
Is there any benefit to obtaining samples in a retail clinic setting? Have you ever, in another setting felt obligated to sample?
I see many patients who are self-pay, no insurance, even struggling to purchase OTC medications. A physician I worked for saved samples for just these folks. Our unwritten policy was: if they are self-pay, give 'em the samples.
What kinds of problems would this pose in a retail clinical setting?
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4 comments:
Hey Sharon... you did a great job! I think we need time with drug reps for both samples and education about the new drugs. Hard to do in a time slot in this setting, so I think MC should get the pharm companies to let us know where dinners are or do little get togethers with the providers of retail clinics; lots of people with no insurance come to these clinics because it's cheaper... therefore, they would love drug samples... AND, it would keep us up to date.
Thanks for your response. I think sampling raises several questions: storage? out of date? documentation? liability? Stuff we rarely thought about in private practice. How could WE contact pharm reps and get stuff going for YOU? Would that be a service you'd like an organization like this to offer?
In an urgent care, the samples were under lock and key. When a sample med was prescribed, the name, dosage, freq, etc were written on a mini envolope with the med and then this was all documented in the pt chart. no controlled meds. i think it would be an additional benefit to the paying customer with or without insurance. However, it would be an extra step, i.e. time in our process.
I think that's a great idea - for paying and non-paying folks. Storage, I know would be an issue in our clinics...
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