The Danish Medicines Agency performs spot checks of Danish pharmaceutical companies’ distribution of free medical samples for doctors, dentists and veterinarians. We have just finished our spot checking of a number of pharmaceutical companies’ distribution of medical samples for the year 2007.
In the spot checks, the Danish Medicines Agency took a closer look at 15 pharmaceutical companies, some of which we have previously checked in connection with control of distribution of medical samples and others which deal with veterinary medicine. The spot checking aimed to clarify whether the rules for distribution of medical samples were complied with in the year 2007.
The information from the companies involved show that the companies that distributed medical samples in the period concerned dispensed a total of 36,847 medical samples covering 235 different medicinal products and/or strengths.
In connection with the spot checking, we have reviewed 7,374 of the written requests on which the companies’ distribution of medical samples is based.
The spot checking has shown that 9 of the 15 companies subjected to our control violated the rules on distribution of free medical samples. For most of the companies in question, the violations are few and not particularly significant. However, one of the companies has been reprimanded for its lack of control with the distribution.
For further information, please contact Kim Helleberg Madsen on tel.: +45 4488 9399 or by e-mail: khm@dkma.dk.
Danish Medicines Agency, 16 February 2010
