[Pharmwaste] Drug sample waste

[Megan Fakih]

I work for a large hospital that has many family practice sites that
accept drug samples.  We have tried several tactics to cut down on
sample waste, like encouraging the offices to accept only the amount
they can use, rotating stock, etc. but we still have waste. 
I have educated the offices on the FDA's Prescription Drug Marketing
Act that allows the drug reps to facilitate the shipment of the samples
back to the drug company for destruction.  Now as they talk to the reps
about this, the reps are still saying it is against the law for them to
deal with the samples.    I am wondering if anyone has successfully
gotten these drug companies to destroy their own samples.  I realize I
am probably forging new ground here but from a pharmacist perspective, I
would like to see samples go away and vouchers that can be redeemed at
the pharmacy take their place.  By forcing the drug companies to destroy
these unused samples I feel we might be able to persuade the drug
companies to turn to vouchers.  

Does anyone have any advice for me?  






Megan Fakih, RPh, MBA
St Lawrence Campus
Pharmacy Supervisor
1210 W Saginaw St
Lansing, Mi 48915
Phone: (517) 364-6341