U of Pittsburgh asks physicians to order drug samples through 'e-closet'

In a step designed to further tighten up its providers' relationships with pharmaceutical companies, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is implementing a new web-based technology that doctors will use to order drug samples. The move follows a February 15 decision by UPMC officials to implement a tough new conflicts-of-interest policy regarding interactions with drug companies. Among other things, the new policy banned affiliated medical practices from accepting lunches in their offices from drug companies.

The system, the UPMC eSample Center, is a "virtual sample closet" developed by vendor MedManage Systems of Bothell, WA. And it comes at unbeatable price. In fact, there's no cost whatsoever to the school, since MedManage charges fees to pharmaceutical companies for its sampling system. UPMC officials have begun sending out letters about the system to its providers, and will make some medications available to providers as early as August 1. Samples will be sent to physicians directly from the pharmas' distribution centers. 

To learn more about the system:
- read this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article [1]
- read this MedManage press release [2]