In dermatology offices, the availability of free medication samples appears to change prescribing practices for acne, a common condition for which free samples are often available.
Free drug samples provided by pharmaceutical companies are widely available in dermatology practices.
Dermatologists With Access to Free Samples Write Costlier Prescriptions
Dermatologists having access to free samples are more likely to prescribe drugs that are expensive, a new study found
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The authors investigated prescribing practices for acne vulgaris and rosacea. Data for the study were obtained from a nationally representative sample of dermatologists in the National Disease and Therapeutic Index (NDTI), a survey of office-based U.S. physicians, and from an academic medical center where free drug samples were not available.
Branded and branded generic drugs (products that have novel dosage forms of off-patent products or use a trade name for a molecule that is off patent) accounted for 79 percent of the prescriptions written nationally by dermatologists compared with 17 percent at an academic medical center without samples. The average total retail cost of prescriptions at an office visit for acne was estimated to be twice as high ($465) nationally compared with about $200 at an academic medical center without samples.
![Common Hair Care Misconceptions Revealed by Dermatologist]( "Common Hair Care Misconceptions Revealed by Dermatologist")
Consumers are often overwhelmed by the variety of products available in the hair care sphere and have a hard time evaluating products that claim to improve one's hair.
"Free drug samples can alter the prescribing habits of physicians away from the use of less expensive generic medications. The benefits of free samples in dermatology must be weighed against potential negative effects on prescribing behavior and prescription costs."
Michael P. Hurley, M.S., and colleagues from the Stanford University School of Medicine, California.
(JAMA Dermatology. Published online April 16, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.9715. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)
Editor's Note: An author made a conflict of interest disclosure. Funding/support disclosures were also made. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Editorial: Drug Samples in Dermatology
In a related editorial, Kenneth A. Katz, M.D., M.Sc., of the Permanente Medical Group Inc., Pleasanton, Calif., and colleagues write: "The study was cross-sectional and did not determine causality, and no clinical outcomes were assessed. But the demonstrated association between samples and prescribing is strong and is consistent with a growing body of evidence that drug samples affect physician prescribing practices."
"Hurley et al conclude their article by calling for policies to 'properly mitigate' the 'inappropriate influence on prescribing patterns.' We agree, and furthermore call on our own profession's leaders to help dermatologists recognize the lack of evidence of benefit from samples and the substantial evidence of harm to patients and the health care system," they continue.
"Our specialty should take a strong, united stance discouraging physicians from dispensing free drug samples in any form, including topical medications," they conclude.
(JAMA Dermatology. Published online April 16, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.9711. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)
Editor's Note: Authors made a conflict of interest disclosures. A funding/support disclosure also was made. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Source: Eurekalert
Common Hair Care Misconceptions Revealed by Dermatologist
Consumers are often overwhelmed by the variety of products available in the hair care sphere and have a hard time evaluating products that claim to improve one's hair.
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"Free drug samples can alter the prescribing habits of physicians away from the use of less expensive generic medications. The benefits of free samples in dermatology must be weighed against potential negative effects on prescribing behavior and prescription costs."
Michael P. Hurley, M.S., and colleagues from the Stanford University School of Medicine, California.
(JAMA Dermatology. Published online April 16, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.9715. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)
Editor's Note: An author made a conflict of interest disclosure. Funding/support disclosures were also made. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Editorial: Drug Samples in Dermatology
In a related editorial, Kenneth A. Katz, M.D., M.Sc., of the Permanente Medical Group Inc., Pleasanton, Calif., and colleagues write: "The study was cross-sectional and did not determine causality, and no clinical outcomes were assessed. But the demonstrated association between samples and prescribing is strong and is consistent with a growing body of evidence that drug samples affect physician prescribing practices."
"Hurley et al conclude their article by calling for policies to 'properly mitigate' the 'inappropriate influence on prescribing patterns.' We agree, and furthermore call on our own profession's leaders to help dermatologists recognize the lack of evidence of benefit from samples and the substantial evidence of harm to patients and the health care system," they continue.
"Our specialty should take a strong, united stance discouraging physicians from dispensing free drug samples in any form, including topical medications," they conclude.
(JAMA Dermatology. Published online April 16, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.9711. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)
Editor's Note: Authors made a conflict of interest disclosures. A funding/support disclosure also was made. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
Source: Eurekalert
Natural Ingredients Used in New Topical Treatments for Hyperpigmentation Highlighted by Dermatologist
It is well-known that hyperpigmentation is difficult to treat and often leads to a negative impact on a person's psychological well being.
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 Dermatologists may be Able to Diagnose Condition from Pictures OnlyA new study published in JAMA Dermatology revealed that taking a picture of skin conditions or suspicious mole would be enough for the dermatologists to conduct a remote diagnosis of the condition | Advertisement
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