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Effect of antihypertensive samples on physician prescribing patterns.
John M Boltri1, Elizabeth R Gordon, Robert L Vogel
1Family Health Center, Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon 31206-3608, USA. boltri.john@mccg.org
Family Medicine
|November 27, 2002
Summary
Prohibiting pharmaceutical drug samples increased the use of first-line hypertension medications among residents and faculty. This suggests drug samples may influence prescribing habits.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Pharmaceutical drug samples are frequently provided to healthcare professionals.
- The influence of these samples on clinical decision-making, particularly prescribing habits, requires thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of pharmaceutical sample availability on the prescribing patterns of family practice residents and faculty for hypertension management.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review was conducted comparing hypertension treatment in January-February 1997 (samples available) and January-February 1998 (samples prohibited).
- Medications were classified as first- or second-line according to Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI) guidelines.
- Prescribing data were analyzed for differences between residents and faculty, and between the two study periods.
Main Results:
- Faculty were less likely than residents to prescribe first-line antihypertensive medications (43% vs. 57%).
- Following the prohibition of drug sample distribution, the overall prescription rate of first-line antihypertensives significantly increased from 38% to 61%.
Conclusions:
- The cessation of drug sample distribution correlated with an increased use of first-line medications for hypertension.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the extent to which pharmaceutical sample availability influences physician prescribing practices.