Safe practices not evident when dispensing drug samples
From the March 2007 issue
In 2004, seventeen urban and rural primary care practices participated in a two-phase observational study1 to evaluate ISMP recommendations regarding safe dispensing of drug samples (www.ismp.org/Newsletters/consumer/alerts/Samples.asp). The study included a site visit to collect inventory data and perform an assessment of medication sample dispensing procedures. Survey questionnaires were also distributed to providers and patients when sample medications were dispensed to patients. No practice sites were compliant with all seven of the ISMP recommendations, which included the following:
When patients are given samples, the following information should be communicated on attached labeling:
- Patient name
- Reason for the medication
- Amount that should be taken
- Frequency of taking the medication
- Special precautions for use
- Any significant side effects.
- If a sample medication needs to be reconstituted, the amount of water to be added by the patient should be described on the label
While the study found that patients were usually given verbal instructions about appropriate use of samples and side effects, labeling and written patient instructions were inadequate, which may increase the risk of medication errors. Additional ISMP recommendations for safe handling of drug samples can be found at: www.ismp.org/Newsletters/acutecare/articles/19990714.asp.
As an aside, a new advocacy group, The Prescription Drug Project, bolstered with a $6 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trust, has been formed to limit the influence that gifts and drug samples may have on prescribing.2 The group hopes to persuade academic medical centers to ban gifts and drug samples received from pharmaceutical company representatives. They are also focused on educating medical societies, the public, and private payers about industry influence. This important issue received widespread media attention last year after a panel of experts called upon colleagues to adopt extensive conflict-of-interest policies.3
References. 1) Hansen LB, Saseen JJ, Westfall JM, et al. Evaluating sample medications in primary care: a practice-based research network study. Joint Comm J Qual Patient Safety 2006; 32:688-692. 2) Anon. Sales reps’ Rx sampling could be limited under the “Prescription Project.” Pink Sheet Feb. 19, 2007:25. 3) Brennan TA, Rothman DJ, Blank L, et al. Health industry practices that create conflict of interest. A proposal for academic medical centers. JAMA 2006; 295:429-33. |
