Drug sample provision and its effect on continuous drug therapy in an indigent care setting.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the continuity and consistency of drug therapy among indigent patients following drug sample provision.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Indigent ambulatory care.


METHODS
129 adult patients, identified as having been given a drug sample between January 1, 2004, and February 27, 2004.


METHODS
Analysis of data regarding the sample regimen, duration, rationale for sample provision, therapeutic indication, and subsequent therapy prescribed in the 6 months following sample provision.


METHODS
Lengths of gaps between sample provision and subsequent prescribed therapy were analyzed to evaluate the effect of sample provision on the continuity and consistency of drug therapy.


RESULTS
Of the 52 patients for whom continuous therapy was indicated, interruptions in therapy occurred in 50% (mean duration, 51.1 +/- 37.8 days; range, 2-123). Of the 65 patients who were prescribed subsequent therapy, 89.2% were prescribed the exact same drug, 9.2% a different drug in the same class, and 1.5% a different drug in a different class. Following sample provision, only 2 (3.1%) patients were prescribed generic medications.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant interruptions in drug therapy frequently followed sample provision in those requiring continuous treatment. On average, patients experienced interruptions in therapy for nearly 2 months. The majority of patients who were prescribed subsequent therapy were prescribed the same drug as the drug sample initially provided.
Mabins
Melanie N
MN
College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. mmabi2@email.uky.edu
Emptage
Ruth E
RE
Giannamore
Martin R
MR
Hall
Laura E
LE
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D017664:Uncompensated Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations