Pharmaceutical companies that have recently released new medications or that have conducted secondary clinical trials and want to promote the use of a drug-free new purpose often provide samples of medications to successful medical practices.
Medication samples can allow patients to try medications without paying out of pocket for them at the pharmacy. Unfortunately, the patient may be at increased risk of the doctor making a serious prescribing error.
Samples bypass pharmacist review
Providing patients with sample medication is a cost-effective solution, but it does come with some risks. The entire process is under the control of one professional, which increases the risk of a significant prescribing error. Without a pharmacist to double-check the prescription, the patient could take a medication that might interact with another medication they already use daily.
Physicians recommending new medications to patients should generally check carefully for potential drug interactions. They need to talk with the patient about what medication they currently take, any supplements they use and even their diet.
A patient receiving a sample package of medication from a physician may be unaware that the new drug could cause a dangerous interaction with the medication they already take. If their doctor doesn’t properly review their records, provide them with accurate information and carefully check for interactions, the patient could experience completely preventable negative reactions.
When medication errors are the result of a doctor’s negligence, the affected patient may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Reviewing what happened with a lawyer and an outside medical professional may help those harmed by a drug interaction verify that another medical prevention professional could have prevented that outcome.