A new study found out that doctors who give free drug samples to their patients are more likely to give expensive prescriptions compared to those who don't have access to samples.

Researchers from the Stanford University of Medicine, led by emeritus professor of dermatology and pediatrics Alfred Lane, studied the prescribing patterns of the dermatologists and computed the retail price of the prescribed adult acne medications for a single visit in 2010. They found that the prescription of those who were given free samples was $265 more expensive than those who didn't receive samples.

Furthermore, it seemed that doctors favor branded medications over the generics. Only 21 percent of the prescriptions were for generic drugs. Between 33 and 62 percent of the time, the prescribed medications come with samples. Patients were drawn to purchase these expensive medications since they were given samples and were not informed that there were cheaper options.

"Physicians may not be aware of the cost difference between brand-name and generic drugs, and patients may not realize that, by accepting samples, they could be unintentionally channeled into subsequently receiving a prescription for a more expensive medication," said Prof. Lane in a press release.

There is an ongoing discussion about the pros and cons of doctors accepting free drug samples from pharmaceutical companies. The researchers found that the number of doctors giving free samples has increased by six percent from 2001 to 2010.

Some doctors are in favor of free drug samples because patients are able to test the medication if it works before buying it, which is beneficial to poor and uninsured patients. However, Lane believes that it will be more cost-efficient if the doctors prescribe the generic drugs first before prescribing the branded, or branded generics that are very expensive.

"Primarily, they feel that the samples give them more freedom and flexibility to help people who are uninsured, or with less financial means. But the national data don't really support that. Those people are not the ones who are typically getting these samples," said Michael Hurley, first author of the study, in a press release.

Results of the study were published in the April 16 issue of JAMA Dermatology.