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Related Concept Videos

Drug Nomenclature01:17

Drug Nomenclature

During the development of a new pharmaceutical, the manufacturer initially assigns a code name to the drug. Once approved, the drug receives a United States Adopted Name (USAN)—a generic, nonproprietary designation. Upon being listed in the United States Pharmacopeia, this nonproprietary name becomes the drug's official name. Additionally, the manufacturer assigns a proprietary name or trademark, which serves as the brand name under which the drug is marketed. It is worth noting that the same...
Drug Regulation01:25

Drug Regulation

Drug regulation encompasses the management of drug usage by evaluating its safety and efficacy through assessments conducted by regulatory authorities. Regrettably, the history of drug regulation is marred by several catastrophic events. One such incident is the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, in which the toxic compound diethyl glycol was included in a sweet-tasting medication, leading to numerous fatalities. This event prompted the enactment of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Under...
Drug Elimination: Non-Renal Routes01:23

Drug Elimination: Non-Renal Routes

The liver plays a pivotal role in eliminating drugs and their metabolites, primarily through a process known as biliary excretion. This process involves the hepatocytes, the primary cells in the liver that generate bile. A range of transporters actively expels polar drugs or hydrophilic drug metabolites into the bile, which transports the drugs and metabolites into the small intestine. From here, they are eventually expelled from the body through feces. In some instances, the original drug or a...
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs01:02

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Drug Concentrations: Measurements01:23

Drug Concentrations: Measurements

Drug concentration is the quantity of a drug present in a biological sample. Measuring drug amounts in biological samples allows the clinician to understand how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Samples can be obtained through invasive or non-invasive methods. Invasive techniques involve surgical or parenteral interventions to gather blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue biopsy. Conversely, non-invasive approaches provide samples like urine, feces, and saliva.
Plasma —...
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Excipients and Impurities-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence01:19

Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Excipients and Impurities-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence

Pharmaceutical products contain more than just the active drug; they also contain various excipients such as binders, solubilizers, stabilizers, preservatives, and other elements. In some cases, impurities or contaminants might be present. Traditionally, quality control in pharmaceuticals has primarily focused on the analysis of the active drug, often overlooking the impact of these additional components. The recent issue with heparin contamination by over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate, a...

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Updated: May 23, 2026

Novel Apparatus and Method for Drug Reinforcement
07:32

Novel Apparatus and Method for Drug Reinforcement

Published on: August 21, 2010

No more free drug samples?

Susan Chimonas1, Jerome P Kassirer

  • 1Center on Medicine as a Profession, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America. sc2254@columbia.edu

Plos Medicine
|May 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Providing free drug samples does not effectively improve access for the impoverished, nor does it encourage rational medication use. This practice also increases overall healthcare expenses.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Novel Apparatus and Method for Drug Reinforcement
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Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
05:10

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

Published on: December 11, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Health Policy
  • Pharmaceutical Economics
  • Medical Ethics

Background:

  • Physician-provided "free" drug samples are a common practice.
  • The intended benefits include improved patient access and adherence.
  • Potential drawbacks involve biased prescribing and increased healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the efficacy of free drug samples.
  • To assess the impact of drug samples on access for indigent patients.
  • To examine the influence on rational drug use and healthcare costs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and economic analyses.
  • Analysis of arguments presented by Chimonas and Kassirer.
  • Examination of ethical and practical implications.

Main Results:

  • Drug samples do not significantly improve access for the uninsured or impoverished.
  • Sample availability may lead to prescribing patterns not based on optimal therapy.
  • The distribution system for samples adds to the overall cost of pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

Conclusions:

  • The current system of distributing free drug samples is inefficient and potentially detrimental.
  • Alternative strategies are needed to ensure equitable drug access and promote rational prescribing.
  • Reforming drug sample distribution could lead to cost savings and improved patient care.