An Observational Study of Medication Sample Use in a Family Practice Clinic

Abstract

This observational study was designed to quantify the value and characterize the types of medication samples used in a clinic setting. The volume and average wholesale price of samples dispersed over a one-week period were reported by drug classification and manufacturer. During the initial observation period, a total of 1,242 samples worth $11,860 were dispersed, of which 141 (11.4%) were documented appropriately with the date, patient's name, physician's name, medication, number of samples, expiration date, and lot number. This lack of documentation brought about concerns regarding quality of patient care, liability, and compliance with Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations standards with respect to medication samples. An educational intervention was performed to address these concerns and to encourage the development of a plan to improve documentation of medication samples dispersed, which was followed by a postinterventional evaluation of medication sample use and dispersement documentation.