PhRMA Defends Distribution of Pharmaceutical Samples;
New Study Fatally Flawed, 2003 Figures Outdated

Washington, D.C. (January 3, 2008) — Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Senior Vice President Ken Johnson issued the following statement regarding the Jan. 2 American Journal of Public Health study on distribution of free pharmaceutical samples:

“Distribution of free samples by technically-trained pharmaceutical research company representatives – many of whom are healthcare professionals themselves – plays a critical role in improving patient care and fostering the appropriate use of medicines. Providing physicians with free samples of pharmaceuticals clearly benefits patients and advances healthcare throughout the United States.

“Instead of second-guessing motives, Harvard researchers would better serve patients by examining health outcomes. Clearly, free samples often lead to improved quality of life for millions of Americans, regardless of their income.

“Free pharmaceutical samples can give physicians valuable first-hand experience with new treatment options. And free samples can help patients begin treatment sooner, find the right medicine, and offer an option for those who have difficulty affording their medicines.

“As the study authors note, when patients were seen by practitioners in their offices, uninsured patients ‘appear more likely to receive a free sample than do insured persons.’

“According to the study authors, this suggests that office-based practitioners make a ‘sincere effort’ to use free samples to help needy patients.

“Likewise, insured patients who lacked prescription drug coverage also were more likely to receive a free sample.

“Indeed, a recent Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 75 percent of physicians frequently or sometimes give free samples to assist patients with their out-of-pocket costs. An earlier survey examining key factors influencing physicians’ decisions to distribute free samples found the ‘patient’s financial situation’ was a considerable or strong influence 86 percent of the time.

"That said, the study released Jan. 2, which was conducted by Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance researchers, was fatally flawed.

“The study, which relies on 2003 data, ignores significant outreach efforts in recent years, including the 2005 launch of the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a program sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies to help uninsured and underinsured patients.

“Our member companies recognize that, unfortunately, many uninsured and underinsured patients do not receive their medical care from office-based practitioners.

“And, as important as free pharmaceutical samples are in improving healthcare, they represent one – not the only – option for patients in need.

“As a consequence, over and above the billions of dollars in free samples that pharmaceutical research companies distribute to physicians, our companies have provided medicines worth more than $10 billion, in wholesale value, to nearly 5 million struggling Americans since PPA was launched.

“Additionally, we have hand-delivered information about accessing free or nearly free medicines to clinics and hospitals nationwide that serve low-income Americans. And we have connected more than 200,000 patients with clinics and healthcare providers in their communities.

“PPA is a clearinghouse for more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs. More than 2,500 brand-name and generic prescription medicines are available through the participating programs.Patients who need help should call the PPA’s toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW), where trained operators field calls in more than 150 languages, or should visit the easy-to-use website www.pparx.org.”

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The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $43 billion in 2006 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $55.2 billion in 2006.

PhRMA Internet Address: www.phrma.org

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For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit: www.pparx.org

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