e for Benecol, another cholesterol reducing dietary supplement. The Benecol representative may have been in and spoken to the physician, but the competing company has branded their product on the providers’ mind, thus, for that product type, the physician has his mind made up for him. Thus, one of the ethical codes has been broken, unwillingly. SAMPLING PRODUCTS. One of the most popular as well as successful strategies used by pharmaceutical companies is the sampling of their product to healthcare providers. Millions of dollars are spent by these companies for the packaging of samples of different medications they market. Drug reps come around to physician offices and check the sample closet to ensure that their product is well stocked. By providing the office with samples, the drug reps have accomplished a number of things. First of all, the doctor is reminded of that product when he/she is looking for samples for patients. The package designs are created to make a stand out impression in the physician’s mind. Keeping the product available for the physicians’ grasp reminds the physician of that particular product. The patient is given the sample, which also sees that fancy packaging. If this medication is effective, the patient retains the name and often suggests it to the physician if a condition calling for a similar product reoccurs. When a patient has a chronic illness, he/she will be placed on a product that treats the condition. She or she requires follow up care with the provider, and will continue to receive refills of a product. Having the product available in a medical office when a patient has run out makes a lasting impression on the provider, as well as the staff.The main problem with sampling is it requires a regular detail in the office check on the need for samples. With so many different products to promote, companies have several representatives to cover their products. This causes a...
