Robbins, Russell

Free samples are a different case entirely, the ultimate combination of medical value and brand-name promotion. Most doctors happily give them to patients, even if they re not the drug of choice, figuring this will help low-income and elderly people save money. It s easier to know that the patient has his first several weeks supply then and there, explains Dr. Russell Robbins, a Wilton, Connecticut, urologist and chief medical officer of an insurance software company. But the samples aren t totally without controversy Some critics warn that too often they end up being used by the doctors and their friends rather than patients. And of course, once the free supply runs out, what brand name is the patient going to ask for ... 

They don t really care if they have Claritin or whatever drug, says Russell Robbins, the Connecticut urologist. If a patient asks for a medication that s inappropriate. Dr. Sisson of California says, we have to tell them. It s a matter of, how do we work together Usually, he chuckles, they think we know something. ... 

Ecker DE, Sam path R, Blyn LB, Eshoo MW, Ivy C, Ecker JA, Libby B, Samant V, Sannes-Loweiy KA, Melton RE, Russell K, Ereed N, Barrozo C, Wu J, Rudnick K, Desai A, Moradi E, Knize DJ, Robbins DW, Hannis JC, Harrell PM, Massire C, Hall TA, Jiang Y, Ranken R, Drader JJ, White N, McNeil JA, Crooke ST, Hofstadler SA. Rapid identification and strain-typing of respiratory pathogens for epidemic surveillance. Pioc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2005 102 8012. 

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