Handing out free samples

[LifeisgoodTN]

I am new in an office, and have been told that we can take free samples as "perks" of the job. This is not only for the staff's use, but also for friends and family. Any advice?

[GingerSue]

who authorized the free samples?

(wouldn't want to be accused of stealing at a later date)

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

free samples of what and from whom? If your employer allows samples from drug reps to be handed out and they normally require a prescription I think that is inviting danger. What if someone in your household has a reaction to the medication in some way? You might be liable as well as the MD for who you work. I worked for eye surgeons once and we were allowed to take saline drops but that was all. YEARS ago I worked in an office where a drug rep handed out Fastin like it was candy. This was before Phen-Fen was found to be dangerous. Gosh, we could have killed ourselves!

[LifeisgoodTN]

The supervisor. My point is they are given to people who have never been in the office.

[Agnus]

If the samples are perscription drugs it is not only unethical but illegal.

Second unless you are a physician you have no business giving any medication (otc or not) indiscrimately to friends and family. There is no such thing as a harmless drug. Many have harmful interactions with other medications your friends and family may be on.

[group_theory]

The legal and liability risk involved with this is BIG, both for the person handing out the "free samples" and the employer.

Handing out food/candy/pens/trinkets that the drug rep gave ... ok

Handing out lipitor to people ... danger!!!

Handing out sample antibiotics to people ... danger!!!

Handing out psych meds to people ... DANGER!!!

The board of nursing might not look too kindly upon these actions ... the board of pharmacy might not look too kindly on your dispensing either ... the DEA might want to investigate to see if you handed out other stuff too ... the local district attorney/prosecutor might be a little interested. The state health board and JHACO might be involved since the standard is to keep samples in locked closets with proper documentation whenever samples are given out.

And should you face a civil lawsuit if there is harm resulting from such action, your insurer might not cover you (or provide you an attorney) if the insurer determined that your action was not done as part of a normal clinical practice/standard

If you are unsure what you are doing is legal, seek the advice of a qualified healthcare attorney

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

Your office supervisor okay'd this?! Is he/she a nurse?

It just seems like it should be common sense to any nurse that giving a drug to anyone that it was not prescribed to by a physician is a violation of your nurse practice act, WAY outside your scope of practice, and an extremely bad idea.

[MS._Jen_RN, ASN, RN]

I've gotten samples from my PCP as a patient. It was documented in my chart the same as an Rx would be, and rightly so. If it's drugs you are talking about and they are Rx only; then the practice you describe, like others have said, it not legal or professional. I would be wary of being involved in this practice in any way and any other "perks" that are offered to me.

~jen

[TazziRN, RN]

It's one thing for an employee to tell the doc "I feel ---" and have the doc reach for samples. It's totally another for the employee to grab samples for the neighbor kid who has a sore throat.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Taking medications out of stocked cabinet (whether free or purchased by practice) and giving to another person even with a prescriptions is called dispensing. It is illegal in most states under drug regulaions as considered pharmacy practice + dispensing license needed. If reported can cause you to loose your license.

Added:

Even if Dr writes RX and gives samples: dose, frequency and docs name needs to be on sample per some states regs.....check with your state board of pharmacy for those who are office nurses if your unaware of your state regs.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

My mother worked for a GP office and was offered free access to the goody cabinet, a long time ago. She now has a heart murmur for her troubles, thanks to the phen-phen samples. Oh, and no legal recourse like other people who took it, because it wasn't prescribed to her.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Are you talking about dispensing prescription medications to people whose doctor has not prescribed this med? If so, it's illegal. You have no authority to dispense any medication, prescription or OTC, for that matter. Can't you just imagine the lawsuit? ("the nurse gave that medication to my husband, which he took the day before he had the stroke").

I'm happy to give and receive all the free pens and notepads anyone has. :)

Want me to get you some Prilosec or Lipitor? Want me to "give you something" for that upset stomach you keep getting and you don't want to bother your doctor? Not happening.