Is "free" really free? Ethical implications of short-term discounts and giveaways to hospitals

Canadian hospitals participate in provincial and national procurement processes to help reduce healthcare costs. This allows for redirection of funds to direct patient care, along with creating networks, integrating services, and improving innovative solutions. To be competitive, vendors offer creative solutions and provide free or low-cost supplies to hospitals with the hope that patients will continue to purchase those items when discharged. What is not always factored into the procurement decision-making processes is the potential financial impact of the supplies required for patients when discharged from hospital services and other ethical implications of accepting free/reduced-cost supplies. This column provides some guidance for health leaders in this respect.