Why do drug companies use coupons?

Drug Coupon Information Center; Hip Pocket Information

Drug companies issue drug coupons to create demand. The more valuable the coupon, the more motivation a consumer has to try something new.

Imagine if you have a drug coupon that is worth $100 (such as what we see with Apidra insulin). Wouldn't you be tempted to try the product?

Coupons are especially useful in a market where there is a lot of competition, such as what we see with skin care products or erectile dysfunction drugs.

Drug coupons build customer loyalty. A satisfied customer purchases their medicine every month for the rest of their lives. There is lots of money to be made, but the key is repeat business.

Throwing your regular customers a bone in the form of a coupon builds loyalty. It makes you feel good about the company.

Drug coupons open the lines of communication with patients. Often, when you get a coupon for a prescription drug you are required to give your name, address, e-mail address, etc.

Once you are on their mailing list, the drug company can build a relationship with you by sending you disease information, e-mails that remind you to take your medicine or more money saving offers and gifts.

Drug coupons are cheaper than samples. Most doctors' offices have thousands of dollars worth of unused drug samples. Many samples eventually expire and have to be thrown out - a huge waste of money and other precious resources.

Coupons are different. Internet drug coupons cost pennies to distribute and the company only pays if patients actually use the coupons (which is rare).

Giving a patient a coupon yields the same benefits as drug samples - inducing people to try a product.

Factoid: Very few people take advantage of drug coupons. Ask any busy pharmacist. A typical high volume pharmacy will only take in 1 or 2 prescription drug coupons a week. But you're not the typical consumer - that's why you came to this site, right?