Children Could be Harmed by Free Drug Samples, Harvard Study Reports

Drug Samples Often Lack Adequate Safety Information

Information gathered by the Centers for Disease Control, and reviewed in a study published today in Pediatrics, show that free drug samples given to help sick children may in fact be harming them.

The study investigators found that during 2004 some 500,000 children were given samples of 4 different prescription drugs. All 4 drugs later came under review due to safety concerns and subsequently received FDA mandated safety warnings. The drugs were Advair for asthma, Adderall and Strattera - both drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Elidel for eczema.

The authors note that physicians gave Elidel to parents of 38,000 children under the age of 2. However, the FDA later received reports of skin cancer in patients using the eczema medication. While the FDA was unsure of a direct association between Elidel and skin cancer, the drug labelling was revised to carry a strong warning about the possible risk for adverse health effects, and that it was not for use in children under 2.

Giving physicians free drug samples for use in their patients is standard marketing practice among pharmaceutical companies.

Legal Help

If your child has suffered ill health as a result of using drug samples, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Published on Oct-6-08