Under the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, who can receive drug samples?

The Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) establishes strict regulations regarding the distribution of drug samples to ensure they are used appropriately and safely. Under this act, drug samples may only be provided to practitioners who are licensed to prescribe them. Additionally, pharmacies can receive these samples, but only upon a request from a licensed practitioner.

This ensures that the distribution of drug samples is controlled and that they are utilized in a manner that is consistent with lawful medical practices. Allowing only practitioners or pharmacies in response to a practitioner's request helps prevent misuse and ensures that samples are distributed to those who can appropriately evaluate their effectiveness and safety for their patients.

Other options are incorrect because:

• Allowing any pharmacy to receive drug samples without restrictions could lead to unregulated access and potential misuse of samples.
• Permitting only patients to receive samples based on written requests would undermine the intent of the PDMA, as patients typically cannot evaluate prescription drug samples without professional guidance.
• The notion that any healthcare provider with a valid license could receive samples also fails to reflect the intent of the PDMA, as it should be limited to those who can prescribe medication.