Trading Sample Medications
Question: Asalamualaikum Warehmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,
We here as interns receive various physicians samples from various companies.we do not ask them to do so ,they do it as part of their job,while we quietly accept the samples. when we sell these medicines ,we get 60percent or so of the actual price for each medicine. My question is can this money got form selling these medications be used for personal things like buying food,paying bills,recharging phones etc?
Answer:Â Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
If these sample medications are given to be handed out free of charge to patients, then it will not be permissible for you to sell these. One of the main reasons that companies give free medications to doctors, clinics and medical facilities, is to market their products; As such, when a doctor treats a patient, it is given free of charge to the patient. It is for this reason, on these medications you will sometimes find the words ‘SAMPLE NOT FOR SALE’.
If this is the case with the sample medications you have, then it will not be permissible for you to sell it, since the company did not give you, the doctor or the medical facility for the sake of trade or making a profit. It was given to be handed free of charge to patients.
If however, there is no such restriction, and it is not understood or written that it must be given out free of charge, then you are allowed to sell these medicines. In this case, you can use the monies in whatever manner you like.
And Allah Knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan.
19/3/2015