University Times

To ensure that patients’ needs are met under its new industry relations policy, UPMC has adopted a new system for distributing drug samples to its physician offices, hospital-based clinics and outpatient pharmacies.

The new approach, known as the UPMC eSample Center, allows physicians to order available samples, vouchers and coupons via a web-based system accessible through UPMC’s Intranet. This “virtual sample closet” will be developed by MedManage Systems, a Bothell, Wash.-based provider of online prescription drug sampling technology.

The eSample Center began operating last month, providing a wide range of medication samples to physicians as the exclusive mechanism for distributing samples at UPMC. Pharmaceutical representatives will continue to access UPMC’s physician offices and clinics by appointment to provide drug information and education.

UPMC and the affiliated Pitt Schools of the Health Sciences are ranked among the top institutions nationally for best conflict-of-interest policies by the American Medical Student Association. They are in a group of only eight institutions out of 150 surveyed to receive an “A” grade, according to the association’s scorecard, which included an evaluation of drug sample policies.

(See June 12 University Times.)

For more information about Pitt’s policy, visit http://www.coi.pitt.edu/IndustryRelationships/index.htm.