What is a complimentary supply in pharmacy practice?

• A. A prescription drug provided without charge to a pharmacy to assist patients in the initiation of drug therapy
• B. A free sample given directly to a patient
• C. A drug repackaged for resale
• D. A medication donated by a manufacturer after use

Answer: (B)

A complimentary supply is a free drug sample given directly to a patient to start therapy. This arrangement lets a patient begin treatment without paying upfront, often helping them assess tolerability and effectiveness before committing to a full prescription. It is specifically about giving something to the patient, not about donating medication to a pharmacy for its own stock, not about repackaging for resale, and not about a donation after use. In practice, samples are typically provided by manufacturers through a clinician and must be managed with appropriate records and patient counseling to ensure proper use and follow-up.