LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 352.19 Sample Medications (306.22)
 
Policy Category:  Clinical
Distribution Level:  Directly Operated
Responsible Party:  Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
 
Approved by Curley L. Bonds, MD, Chief Medical Officer, on July 12, 2022
I.  PURPOSE
 
Establishes procedures in the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) for sample medications stored in directly operated clinics.
 
II.  DEFINITION
 
Sample Medication: Free medications obtained from sales representatives as well as all sources that are not purchased by DMH Pharmacy Services.
 
III.  POLICY
 
No manufacturer’s sales representative shall distribute any sample medications without written request from a DMH physician. 
 
Non-formulary psychotropic pharmaceutical samples shall not be stored and/or dispensed at any DMH directly operated or contracted clinic.
 
Formulary psychotropic pharmaceutical samples shall be stored and utilized at DMH directly operated clinics according to DMH Policies 352.12 Medication Security and 352.14 Medication Storage.

All sample medications request receipts shall be kept on file for at least three (3) years.
 
Sample medications shall be dispensed in accordance with the following:
  • Only by a California Licensed Physician, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Physician Assistant, Clinic Nurse, or Psychiatric Technician.
     
  • Only with appropriate documentation in the client medical record and medication tracking system.
     
  • Only when the date of dispensing is prior to the expiration date.
     
  • In the original manufacturer’s packaging or in child-resistant containers with ample directions on how to take the medication. Samples shall not be removed from their original containers and repackaged.
Sample medication shall be labeled in compliance with laws, regulations, and accreditation standards.  
 
Client education shall be provided by a physician, pharmacist, or nurse practitioner and documented for each sample medication dispensed.
 
Clinic personnel shall never accept samples for personal use.
 
Any DMH workforce member found in possession of unauthorized samples shall be subject to disciplinary action by DMH.
 
IV.  PROCEDURES
 
V.  AUTHORITIES
 
California Business & Professions Code Sections 4061 and 4171
 
VI.  ATTACHMENTS
 
No attachments are associated with this policy.