Advances and challenges in standardization of free samples of drugs in Brazil

This paper critically analyzed the legislation on free samples of medicines in Brazil, scoring some important health-related aspects of the population. A survey of laws, decrees, rules and regulations that guide the subject was conducted. The free sample is one of the advertising and marketing strategies used by the pharmaceutical industry. In some cases, the designation of certain drugs is based on technical data provided by the propagandists. On the other hand, physicians seeking technical information on sources with less influence of the pharmaceutical industry indicate fewer new drugs, which most often are more expensive. Although an improvement in standardization has been seen for free samples, it is still incipient. Topics such as the time limit for its distribution, maximum to be delivered to each prescriber, transport, storage and care of the expiration date amount should be included in the relevant legislation, as in other countries. These discussions should be resumed with the least possible influence of pharmaceutical companies, following technical and scientific criteria. Therefore, it is necessary that this matter be contextualized in resolutions on free samples of medicines, following the standards of good manufacturing practices.