Free samples from my specialist

@911Ricki (13588)
Canada
January 26, 2013 12:43pm CST
When I went to the specialist he kept bringing up whether I had insurance. Most doctors could care a less. I said no, while my younger brother has it (because he gets it through my parents). I am not dependent on them, so I do not qualify. He suddenly flings open the cupboards and starts handing me samples. I was happy seeing as I couldn't afford my medication this month, with paying for the medication for next week procedure, I have the depo shot in a week (which honestly I would pay for it over this medication - I am in more pain without it). He kept bringing this up, and I sat there thinking why do you care so much. But I think it's whether I keep taking the medicaton. Seeing as I was on medication a few years back, and stopped it because I couldn't afford it.
4 people like this
9 responses
@GardenGerty (157426)
• United States
26 Jan 13
I think good doctors do care. Those samples do them no good in their cupboards, but he must believe that they will do you some good. If he believes continuing the medication is going to help you then he will do what he can to make sure it happens.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Jan 13
I guess so, I told him this month I couldn't afford it seeing as it's been working. I was skipping them to every other day, because I couldn't get a refill.
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
26 Jan 13
My doctor always give me samples of stuff because he knows with my insurance some of my copays are expensive. For my inhaler its 50 bucks each time, my acne medicine is 70 bucks each time. So the other day I went to the doctors and my doctor gave me 4 weeks worth of advair samples and I don't use it that often so it will last me quite awhile because I already had 2 more here at home. And my dermatologist gave me this pharmacy card to where I will pay no more then 35 bucks for my acne prescription which was nice. I'm glad doctors work with you so you can still afford to get your medicine and take them so your health don't get worse. Doctors always look out for their patients and that's their job to do so.
2 people like this
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Jan 13
This is the first doctor that has done this, the others tell me suck it up. The pharmacists usually try and give me the cheapier versions. It's all about money now a days.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
27 Jan 13
I know that they do samples down here but I am not sure how often they do that down here. It's nice they kept giving you samples though as this will be medication you won't have to pay for. So you think he was giving it to you because you need to consistently take it and not have a lull in taking it for it to work?
1 person likes this
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
26 Jan 13
Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well it is important to understand for every patient that before consulting a doctor one should be aware of all the details so that it does not hamper the proceedings of the check up. I think the doctor u consulted was very much experienced about his profession and it is good to have such doctors around us.. What say?
1 person likes this
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
26 Jan 13
I think some realize others have other priorities. I am not willing to go into debt to buy medicatoin each month. Seeing the economy dropping, most workplaces wont give benefit plans.
@deiusz (193)
• Indonesia
27 Jan 13
that's marketing from medicine side besides that they will offering you the cheap one also known as generic tablet in my placed. That's for the people who cant afford expensive medicine. Generic medicine that different from as usual. for free usually for testing only and if no impact then they will sale with regular price after few months. medicine still business, and nothing is free in reality if you even get for free the medicine because still on trial.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Jan 13
To consult an specialist if you have problems in your health is the bet but don't forget the best doctor to your healthy life is you. The doctor give you the best of his observation on your sickness and prescribed the best medicine that already proven effective cure. It is a matter of choice can you afford or not But if you think you can afford and there is no other way for as you said you feel more pain without it, then so be it, buy it. The insurance is also good to help the burden of the high cost of medicine and check up, that is if you are qualified anyway as I said you are the best doctor to yourself try to explore more what to do.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Feb 13
Well, when you find doctors around you that are willing to help, that is a plus. Around here, there are a lot of places that help, and then a lot of them who say they cannot help. (Especially the ones where if you do not have Prescription coverage for it, their hands are usually tied.) But to see this doctor wanted to help you, that is good and one you should keep on wanting to go back too.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
27 Jan 13
Awesome that your doctor gave you a bunch of free samples of the medicines that you need but cannot afford. I have gotten samples from doctors a few times in the past and it really helps out.
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
27 Jan 13
Doctors usually give free samples to patients who patronize them regularly. We also get free samples sometimes of vitamins and sometimes the first dose of antibiotics from our family doctor.