Abstract:
One of the major components of the present invention is to provide a process to facilitate the fulfillment of drug samples to prescribers in several different manners. With the present invention, a prescriber can request actual drug samples on-line or can order on-line coupons for drug samples to be given to patients who in turn go to a pharmacy to obtain the free medications. As a third alternative, the prescriber can print the coupons in his own office to give to patients who in turn redeem the coupons for free medications at a pharmacy.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/472,956, filed May 22, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an architecture for distributing drug samples, and more particularly, to the design of software relating to drug sample fulfillment incorporating protocols and means for expansion and interfacing with other systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     From idea to production, the development of a new drug can take up to 10 years and cost about $800 million. But many risks abound in the development process that can cause complete failure. The process usually starts with the idea that an existing chemical substance has therapeutic value or that the structure of an existing drug can be modified for new clinical uses. Out of 10,000 chemicals tested in a laboratory, only one may eventually become a drug. Besides the expense necessary to produce them, drugs are heavily regulated by the bureaucracy of government agencies. In the United States, the FDA not only approves new drugs, but also determines how drugs are produced and sold by continually monitoring the development and use of all drugs sold. This is the backdrop against which a pharmaceutical company (“pharma  102 ”) markets its precious few developed drugs  104 . See  FIG. 1 . 
     Traditionally, a sales representative  106  of the pharma  102  visits one or more prescribers  110 , leaves behind some drug samples of the drugs  104 , and waits in trust that the prescribers  110  will prescribe these drug samples to their patients. When a sales representative  106  visits a prescriber, such as one of the prescribers  110 , the sales representative  106  is performing two actions together called a drug detail. First, the sales representative  106  educates the prescriber about the efficacy of the drug samples for various disease states and differentiates them from any competitive drugs in the marketplace. Second, the sales representative  106  leaves drug samples behind with the prescriber so that he can dispense these drug samples to his patients. 
     A triangle  108  hierarchically organizes all prescribers into deciles, which are numbers that divide a frequency distribution (the regularity of which a prescriber prescribes drugs) into  10  classes such that each contains the same number of prescribers. The upper 1-3 deciles describe one or more prescribers  110 . The remaining 4-10 deciles describe one or more prescribers  112 . Prescribers at deciles 1-3 comprise 25 percent of all prescribers and generate 50 percent of all prescriptions. The remaining 75 percent of prescribers are at deciles 4-10 and prescribe the remaining 50 percent of all other prescriptions. Because individual prescribers at deciles 4-10 do not generate as much income for the pharma  102  compared to those in the top three deciles, the sales representative  106  typically does not visit these prescribers, but instead, focuses her efforts on prescribers  110  at deciles 1-3. 
     The reason for this is mainly economic. For each sales representative  106 , the pharma  102  incurs numerous expenses including purchasing and maintaining an automobile for the sales representative  106  to travel to the prescribers, and paying a salary, benefits, and so on. Also a growing number of billions of dollars are spent each year on everything necessary to support the distribution of drug samples, such as packaging and delivery. When this cost is multiplied by the cost of employing multiple sales representatives, the pharma  102  cannot afford to visit all prescribers to solicit patronage of its drugs. 
     But there are still other reasons beyond the economic ones that prevent the sales representative  106  from visiting all prescribers. One or more prescribers  112  may be located in remote areas making it difficult for the sales representative  106  to reach them. Certain prescribers  112  do not wish to see a sales representative  106  because they are too busy with their practice or they belong to an organization, such as a hospital, that forbids sales representatives from soliciting prescribers on its premises. Another reason why most prescribers  112  are not visited by the sales representative  106  has to do with absences by the sales representative  106  because of parental leaves, military duties, firings, layoffs, or unexpectedly resignations, and so on. 
     While it is cost prohibitive for the pharma  102  to send sales representatives to visit all prescribers, prescribers who know about the drug samples and want access to drug samples have problems too. If the prescriber were to be interested in designing a therapy from five different brands of drugs, he might have to track down five different sales representatives to get the drug samples. The prescriber&#39;s preferences are completely ignored. The biggest dissatisfaction of all among prescribers, however, is the lack or inconsistent supply of physical samples in their hands. These prescribers may not have easy access to the sales representative  106 . And even if access were possible, the sales representative  106  may not have a ready supply of physical samples for these prescribers to use. The literature has shown that if a prescriber is dissatisfied with a drug brand due to lack of physical samples, the prescriber will not prescribe that particular drug brand to patients. 
     When the sales representative  106  leaves drug samples with the prescriber, the prescriber signs an acknowledgment indicating that these drug samples are now in his possession. Beyond that, however, there is no data that tracks whether drug samples actually get prescribed to patients of the prescriber. No additional information is possible beyond the point at which drug samples are given to the prescriber. So even though the pharma  102  has spent a great deal of money on drug samples, it has no means of knowing whether the physical samples were actually prescribed to patients or tossed uselessly into a garbage can. Without a way to track these drug samples, the pharma  102  cannot improve its drug sample distribution. Moreover, without tracking, expired drug samples may be prescribed to patients, diminishing their efficacy. This may add to wrongful impressions by patients regarding the drug&#39;s effectiveness and eventually will lead to a lack of acceptance of the drug in the marketplace. 
     In sum, not only is it expensive and laborious to develop new drugs, but the traditional drug sample distribution process does not allow the pharma  102  to assess the effectiveness of its drug sample fulfillment program further increasing financial risk to the pharma  102 . Not all prescribers can be reached by the sales representative  106 , hence limiting the distribution of drug samples to patients who may benefit from them. On the other hand, prescribers who do wish to have an opportunity to try the drug samples cannot obtain a consistent supply. Thus, there is a need for an architecture for enhancing drug sample fulfillment distribution while avoiding or reducing the foregoing and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with this invention, a system and method for enhancing drug sample fulfillment distribution is provided. The system form of the invention includes a system for promoting pharmaceutical drugs that comprises a set of brand rules for guiding a distribution of drug samples of a drug. The system further comprises a drug sample fulfillment platform for implementing the set of brand rules to allow a prescriber to obtain drug samples to dispense to a patient without the use of a sales representative. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the system form of the invention includes a system for distributing pharmaceutical drugs, which comprises a drug sample fulfillment platform for accessing drug sample services. The system further comprises a first set of Web pages coupled to the drug sample fulfillment platform through which a prescriber can access the drug sample fulfillment platform to order drug samples. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the system form of the invention includes a system for marketing pharmaceutical drugs which comprises a pharma rules sample engine for performing personalization and intelligent brand rule implementation and a marketing sample engine for integrating with drug sample suppliers and Web portals for prescribers. The pharma rules sample engine and the marketing sample engine are based on a set of brand rules and set of prescriber preferences. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the system form of the invention further comprises a drug sample fulfillment platform which includes a drug sample Web site for mating with a portal that is selected from a group consisting of a prescriber-oriented Web portal, an e-Detailing service, and a Web site regarding a drug brand. The drug sample fulfillment platform further includes a request database for receiving requests of a prescriber through the drug sample Web site for drug samples. The request database responds to the prescriber by allowing the prescriber to print coupons or to print an order form for physical samples or pads of pre-printed vouchers. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the system form of the invention further comprises a networked system for ordering pharmaceutical sample drugs. The networked system includes a drug sample fulfillment platform that comprises a drug sample Web site for mating with a Web portal when a prescriber selects a hyperlink. The drug sample Web site presents a Web page including selectable options for the prescriber to order drug samples. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this invention, a method form of the invention comprises a method for selecting prescribers for a drug sample distribution. The method includes dividing prescribers into one or more segments based on pharma brand manager defined criteria. The method further includes, within a segment, associating products, allocation quantity, sample type that is selected from a group consisting of live samples, pre-printed, and print on-demand, and drug strength from either within or between brands based on brand rules. The method yet further includes, within a segment, associating timing considerations that are selected from a group consisting of sample offer time limit and rolling expiration dates for vouchers from either within or between brands based on brand rules. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this invention, a method form of the invention comprises a method for accessing a drug sample fulfillment platform. The method includes activating a link to access the drug sample fulfillment platform from a Web portal. The method further includes creating a transaction that includes a prescriber identifier and a partner identifier. The method yet further includes mating a drug sample Web site to the Web portal allowing a prescriber to navigate and order drug samples. 
     In accordance with further aspects of this invention, a method form of the invention comprises a method for creating a stream of revenue from a drug sample distribution. The method includes capturing a sample request on a drug sample fulfillment platform. The method further includes charging a pharmaceutical company a transaction request fee for the sample request for drug samples associated with a drug sponsored by the pharmaceutical company. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a conventional system showing various problems of distributing drug samples to prescribers; 
         FIG. 2A  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary drug sampling fulfillment architecture; 
         FIG. 2B  is a block diagram illustrating pieces of a system for drug sample fulfillment distribution, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  is a block diagram illustrating pieces of a system for drug sample fulfillment distribution, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a pictorial diagram illustrating various Web pages associated with the drug sample fulfillment platform, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a pictorial diagram illustrating various Web pages of a drug sample fulfillment distribution platform, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 4A-4M  are process diagrams illustrating a method for enhancing a drug sample fulfillment program, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A system in which drug samples  212  are distributed to one or more prescribers  210  without the need to employ sales representatives is illustrated. A pharma  202  is a company engaged in the manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals, which are medicinal drugs used for therapeutic applications. The term “prescribers” as referred to herein includes, but is not limited to, physicians; physician assistants; certified registered nurse practitioners; advanced registered nurse practitioners; and other licensed professionals authorized to prescribe medications. 
     Throughout a series of stages through which a drug passes during its lifetime, starting with its launch, continuing with its maturation in the marketplace, and concluding with the end of its patent life cycle, a brand manager  204  is assigned by the pharma  202  to manage the drug sample distribution to prescribers  210 . The brand manager  204  begins a drug sample distribution program by first identifying a group of prescribers  210 . The brand manager  204  selects these prescribers  210  by excluding or including each prescriber based on criteria defined by the brand manager  204  (e.g., medical practice specialty, therapeutic class to which drug samples belong, prescribing volume and behavior). Prescribers  210  can also be selected via their Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number or individually by the brand manager  204 . The DEA number is a unique global identifier that identifies a particular prescriber who prescribes drugs in the United States. 
     After the brand manager  204  has selected a group of prescribers  210 , the brand manager  204  produces a set of brand rules  206  which define the availability of drug samples to each of the prescribers  210 . The set of brand rules  206  may cause one prescriber&#39;s drug sample availability and characteristics to be different from those of another prescriber. Thus, for each prescriber there is a virtual drug sample cabinet tailored specifically for that prescriber. Preferably, the group of prescribers  210  is divided into segments. The brand rules provide personalization and customization for each segment. Many other personalization capabilities to tailor the distribution of drug samples to prescribers  210  are possible, such as various delivery methods; various drug strengths; trademark and local presentation of drug samples; customized drug disclaimers; specific product, package, and brand Web sites; and facilitating the scheduling of prescriber interactions with sales representatives or medical science liaisons. 
     The set of brand rules  206  are used to focus the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  to distribute drug samples to prescribers  210 . The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  is preferably a Web-based platform that enables registered health care professionals, pharma  202 &#39;s sales representatives, and other authorized users to order drug samples and obtain related drug information via the Internet. The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  is also preferably electronically linked to one or more prescriber-oriented online portals (such as Web MD), an e-Detailing service (such as Lathian&#39;s MyDrugRep.com), or to a prescriber&#39;s practice management software running on a computer system in the prescriber&#39;s office. 
     The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  is tailored based on the brand rules  206  established by the brand manager  204  for each drug and prescriber segment. Using the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 , the brand manager  204  can select which prescribers are authorized to use the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  and the services provided thereon, the forms of drug samples they can access, and the drug sample quantity and delivery method. The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  can be configured to allow a prescriber to request a physical sample drop shipment. Requests for such physical samples are electronically communicated (including facsimile communications) to the brand manager  204 &#39;s designated fulfillment vendors that pick, pack, and ship physical samples to the requesting prescriber&#39;s office. Using this method, prescribers  210  no longer need to rely on sales representatives to deliver physical samples. As an alternative to physical samples, the prescribers  210  use the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  to obtain pre-printed vouchers. These vouchers, when accompanied by a prescription, can be redeemed at a pharmacy  215  by patients  214  for free trial medication. The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  can be configured to allow prescribers  210  to request a drop shipment of pre-printed drug vouchers. If the brand rules  206  allow, prescribers  210  may print on demand coupons from the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . These on-line, on-demand print coupons are printed real-time in the prescriber&#39;s office. The prescriber signs the printed coupon as a prescription or attaches the voucher to a prescription for the patients  214  to redeem at the pharmacy  215  to obtain free drug sample medication. One advantage of both types of vouchers is that they ensure that the drug samples distributed to patients  214  are fresh, with their efficacy not diminished by expiration. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a system in which a prescriber  210 , a sales representative  216 , and a patient  214  interact with the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . This system is a networked computing environment that has pieces of hardware and software applications. The prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , and the patient  214  interact with the resources of the networked computing environment  200  via personal computers (not shown). A number of Web browsers  224 A- 224 C run on personal computers. These Web browsers are software that let the prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , and the patient  214  view HTML documents and access files and software related to those documents on the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . Web browsers  224 A- 224 C include a number of tools for navigation, such as BACK buttons  218 A- 218 C; FORWARD buttons  220 A- 220 C. These buttons are positions on navigation bars allowing easy access to Web pages by the prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , and the patient  214 . 
     Web pages  226 A- 226 C are each a starting point to a Web site that serves as a gateway to a collection of links, content, and services designed to guide the prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , and the patient  214  to information they are likely to find interesting that relates to drug samples and their distribution. Web pages  226 A- 226 C include greetings that identify a particular user of the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 , such as “WELCOME DR. NYE” for the prescriber  210 ; “WELCOME MS. RED” for the sales representative  216 ; and “WELCOME MS. TON” for the patient  214 . Web pages  226 A- 226 C include a hyperlink (SAMPLE CENTER), that allows access to available drug samples personalized to the particular user, and another hyperlink (SAMPLE CABINET), that allows access to the drug sample ordering history of the particular user. Hyperlinks “DOCTOR SERVICES,” “SALES REP SERVICES,” and “PATIENT SERVICES” of Web pages  226 A- 226 C allow the prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , and the patient  214  to access drug information, answers to frequently asked questions, profile updates, and online drug sample information. Web pages  226 A- 226 C and pieces of content on these Web pages are made available by the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  via a network  228 . The network  228  is a group of computers and associated devices that are connected by communication facilities, such as the Internet. 
     The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  is one or more computers or one or more programs executing on one or more computers that respond to requests of a user, such as the prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , or the patient  214 , to download Web pages  226 A- 226 C and pieces of content associated with Web pages  226 A- 226 C. In one embodiment, Web pages  226 A- 226 C are preferably available as a response to an application specific messaging protocol. Web pages  226 A- 226 B, as a response to an application specific messaging protocol, mate with a Web portal when the prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , or the patient  214  use the Web portal. The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  can push a message, such as via e-mail or a pop-up message, to the prescriber  210 , when it notices that the prescriber  210  has not ordered a drug sample for a certain amount of time. Depending on the prescriber&#39;s order history, his specialty, etc., the message may be pushed to help remind the prescriber about the availability of drug samples. 
     In one embodiment, the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  comprises two engines, a pharma rules sample engine  208 A (encompassing personalization and intelligent brand rule implementation), and a marketing sample engine  208 C (encompassing integration with drug sample suppliers and Web portals). The pharma rules sample engine  208 A tailors the distribution of drug samples to one or more prescribers  210 , one or more sales representatives  216 , and one or more patients  214 . The pharma rules sample engine  208 A monitors the distribution of drug samples to a particular user, such as the prescriber  210 . If the prescriber  210  does not respond to the tailored drug sample allocation as specified by the pharma rules engine  208 A, the pharma rules engine  208 A modifies the allocation of drug samples to the prescriber  210  so that the prescriber  210  responds more favorably, such as by prescribing to his patients the distributed drug samples. If the prescriber  210  does not respond at all, the pharma rules sample engine  208 A reduces or eliminates the allocation of drug samples to the prescriber  210 . The marketing sample engine  208 C links or integrates the supply of drug samples and parties who are interested in drug samples, such as the prescriber  210 , the sales representative  216 , or the patient  214 . The combination of the two engines reduces or solves the problem of the lack or inconsistent supply of drug samples available for interested parties to prescribe or use. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention allow the sales representative  216  to access the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  to order physical samples or pre-printed vouchers to be shipped to the sales representative  216  for distribution. The sales representative  216  may have limited capacity to distribute many physical samples or massive amounts of pre-printed coupons. Instead, the sales representative  216  can access the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  to print a desired number of coupons to give to the prescriber  210 . In one embodiment, to access the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 , the sales representative  216  authenticates that she has the proper access by providing a territorial identifier in which she operates and her last name, among other pieces of information. Preferably, the number of coupons that the sales representative  216  can print in any one log-in session is limited to a certain quantity, as specified by the brand rules  206 . 
     The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  can also serve as an avenue for consumers, such as the patients  214 , to learn about available drugs and request samples. Consumers can access the Web site and print vouchers for brand manager  204 -approved drugs to take to their individual physician for signature or authorization. Thereby, consumers could be categorized as either: general consumer-individuals having public web access to a “general sample medicine cabinet”; or patient consumer-individuals with privileged access to a custom formulary program due to their health plan affiliation. 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates another embodiment of the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . The prescriber  210  accesses a drug sample Web site  230  preferably via a Web portal. By selecting a link on the Web portal, the prescriber  210  generates a transaction that includes at least two pieces of information: a prescriber identifier and a partner identifier. The prescriber identifier uniquely identifies the prescriber  210  whereas the partner identifier identifies the Web portal from which the prescriber  210  selects the link to connect to the drug sample Web site  230 . 
     The drug sample Web site  230  produces Web pages that conform to the look and feel of the Web portal with the particular partner identifier. The prescriber identifier will be used by the drug sample Web site  230  to consult with the request database  232  to determine whether the prescriber  210  has visited the drug sample Web site  230  before. If the prescriber identifier is not stored in the request database  232 , then it is the prescriber  210 &#39;s first visit to the drug sample Web site  230 . The drug sample Web site  230  will cause the prescriber  210  to undergo a registration process. Among other information, the drug sample Web site  230  asks the prescriber  210  for his name, his individual DEA number, his work address, his medical state license number, his specialty, his e-mail address, his phone, his fax number, and whether the prescriber  210  desires to have his name forwarded to a partner Web site that may provide further drug information, among other pieces of information. The prescriber  210  need not provide all of these pieces of information, because the drug sample Web site  230  can communicate with the prescriber-oriented Web portal to pull various pieces of information already associated with the prescriber  210 . This registration process is preferably run only once for a particular prescriber  210 . 
     Once the prescriber  210  has registered with the drug sample Web site  230 , the drug sample Web site  230  will generate a personalized list of drug samples that are available to the prescriber  210  to obtain. In terms of services that can be provided to prescribers in addition to requesting drug samples, prescribers can be provided with information with respect to drugs, continuing medical education, peer forums and conferences, and access to reports on adverse drug reactions from the Web sites of pharmaceutical companies, and from the FDA. Upon exiting the drug sample Web site  230 , the prescriber  210  is returned to the Web page of the Web portal from which the prescriber  210  linked to the drug sample Web site  230 . During registration, the prescriber  210  is asked to select whether he is interested in receiving future drug samples (via a therapeutic class interest survey) to treat an existing or a new therapeutic class. If he elects to receive future drug samples, when these drug samples become available the prescriber  210  will be notified when the prescriber  210  returns to the drug sample Web site  230 . 
     The prescriber  210 , depending on the brand rules  206  specified by the brand manager  204 , can access a combination of three sample forms including physical samples  242 , pre-printed vouchers  244 , and print coupons  234 . The physical samples  242  are drug samples that are pre-packaged by the pharma  202  and shipped by a single brand manager-designated fulfillment vendor  240 . The prescriber  210  can also order pre-printed vouchers  244 , which are pre-printed pads of coupons. These coupons are picked, packed, and shipped to the prescriber  210  via the fulfillment vendors  240  (which may or may not be the same vendor which distributes physical samples). The print coupons  234  are those coupons that prescriber  210  prints in his office. The prescriber  210  can then sign the coupon and give the signed coupon to the patient  214 . 
     To obtain either physical samples  242  or pre-printed vouchers  244 , the prescriber  210  prints an order form from the drug sample Web site  230  via the request database  232 , signs the order form, and faxes it to one or more fulfillment vendors  240 . The pharma  202  can specify a fulfillment vendor  240  (whose fax number is printed on the order form) to which the prescriber  210  faxes the signed order form to obtain physical samples  242  and/or of pre-printed vouchers  244  as applicable. The order form  236  is first presented electronically to the prescriber  210  for the prescriber  210  to specify different drug samples that he is interested in. The order form  236  is also personalized to a particular prescriber  210  and a particular fulfillment vendor  240  in accordance with brand rules  206 . 
     The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  is designed to work with any contracted prescriber-oriented Web portal which the prescriber  210  may use and any fulfillment vendor  240  that the pharma  202  wishes to work with via an application specific messaging protocol. The prescriber  210  may order drug samples that may have to be fulfilled by two fulfillment vendors  240 . The drug sample Web site  230  manages such a situation by printing one order form to be faxed to a particular fulfillment vendor and another order form to be faxed to a second fulfillment vendor. The drug sample fulfillment platform  208  removes the complexity of ordering drug samples for the prescriber  210  while reducing or eliminating mistakes (e.g., errors due to unreadable handwriting). Even if the signed order form  236  is somehow misplaced or lost, the prescriber  210  can print it out again (via the history reprint function) from the drug sample Web site  230  and fax the signed order form to the fulfillment vendors  240  to obtain the desired drug samples. 
     Upon receiving physical samples  342 , pre-printed vouchers  244 , or print coupons  234 , the prescriber  210  can provide a combination of those sample forms to the patient  214  to redeem for free medications at the pharmacy  215 . When the patient  214  comes to the pharmacy  215  to redeem sample forms for drug samples, the pharmacy  215  forwards the claim to a claims processor  250 . The claims processor  250  decides whether to approve the claim. If the claim is approved, the pharmacy  215  provides the desired drug samples to the patient  214  free of charge. 
     The request database  232  stores for each prescriber  210  identification and the quantity of drug samples that were ordered. The drugs and quantity ordered is compared with the allocation limits for a particular prescriber. This can be presented to the prescriber  210  via the drug sample Web site  230  so that the prescriber  210  knows how many more drug samples the prescriber  210  can order. These pieces of information, among others, are stored by the request database  232 . The information in the database can be correlated when the patient  214  takes a pre-printed voucher  244  or a print coupon  234  and redeems it at the pharmacy  215 . These pieces of information can be analyzed and explained to the pharma  202  via one or more reports  238 . For example, suppose a print coupon was redeemed on a particular date by the patient  214 . The reports  238  can indicate when the coupon was redeemed by the patient  214 . Moreover, the reports  238  can show whether there is a correlation between a drug sample fulfillment distribution program as specified by the brand rules  306  and the prescribing trend of the prescriber  210 . 
     Various exemplary Web pages comprising the drug sample Web site  230  are illustrated at  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B . Web pages  302 A- 302 E are navigated by a set of application built navigational buttons/links/tabs, such as PREVIOUS/CANCEL buttons  304 A- 304 E, NEXT/CONTINUE/CONFIRM buttons  306 A- 306 F, and HOME buttons  308 A- 308 F. These buttons appear in standard locations on Web pages  302 A- 302 E throughout the application. Regarding the Web page  302 A, a greeting  314  “WELCOME NORMAN SMITH, M.D.” identifies the prescriber  210 . A set of “SAMPLE CENTER” links  316  allows the prescriber  210  to access various sample services, such as “REQUEST SAMPLES” and “PRINT COUPONS.” A set of “MY SAMPLE CLOSET” links  318  allows the prescriber  210  to review his order history. A set of “PHYSICIAN SERVICES” links  320  allows the prescriber  210  to access drug data, get answers to frequently asked questions, update his profile, request additional detail support or product information from pharma sales representatives  106 , obtain product information online, and therapeutic class survey. A further service available through various embodiments of the present invention includes maintaining “MY SAMPLE CLOSET” for a prescriber. Particular drug products and quantities can be suggested to the prescriber, and then the sample drug closet can be automatically replenished as requested by the prescriber. Also, for sample programs that expire, the system can shut down redemptions through the pharmacy network via the claims processor  250 , notify all participating prescribers, and disable all online sample order requests for the specific drug. 
     Selecting the “REQUEST SAMPLES” link of the set of links  316  brings up an exemplary Web page  302 B for the prescriber  210  to request drug samples. A title of the Web page “REQUEST SAMPLES”  312 A appears on the menu bar and is flushed to the left for both the Web page  302 B as well as the Web page  302 C. Regarding the Web page  302 B, line  322  identifies the name of the prescriber  210 . Area  324  is an array formed from four columns and a number of rows. The first column identifies the product or the drug sample available to the prescriber  210 . The second column is the sample type for a particular drug that the prescriber  210  can order. The third column identifies the form in which the drug sample is made available. The fourth column identifies the quantity that the prescriber  210  specifies. The first row of the area  324  indicates that “DRUG A” is available in physical form (or in an alternative form such as pre-printed vouchers) for which there are five samples in a box and that the prescriber  210  has ordered a quantity of one. The second column specifies that the “DRUG B” is available via pre-printed forms (or in an alternative form such as physical samples) for which  40  coupons are available in a pad and that the prescriber  210  has ordered a quantity of two. The third column specifies that drug C is available in physical form (or in an alternative form such as pre-printed vouchers) for which there are  30  samples in a box and that the prescriber  210  has ordered a quantity of five. 
     The prescriber  210  may select a button  326  “ADD MORE PRODUCTS” to add more drug samples to be ordered. The prescriber  210  also specifies a delivery location at line  328  for which “BELLTOWN” has been selected (other delivery destinations may be possible). When the prescriber  210  is satisfied with the order, he selects a CONTINUE button  329  to prepare a finalized order form for printing, which is presented by the Web page  302 C. A PRINT button  310 A is available for the prescriber  210  to select to print the finalized order form. Line  330  indicates an order number “NN1” and a placement date “Apr. 24, 2003,” among other pieces of information. An area  332  is a recap of the area  324  which shows the various drug samples that the prescriber  210  is interested in and the quantity of each that the prescriber  210  is expecting to receive. Area  334 B requires the prescriber&#39;s signature as well as an execution date of the order form. Area  336  indicates the delivery address to which the samples will be shipped when the order form has been processed by fulfillment vendors  340 . 
     If the prescriber  210  selects the “PRINT COUPONS” link in area  316  of the Web page  302 A, the Web page  302 D appears. Line  338  identifies the name of the prescriber  210 , which is “NORMAN SMITH, M.D.” An area  340  includes a link “I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO TERMS . . . ” which allows the prescriber  210  to select and review terms and conditions for printing coupons for certain drug samples. The prescriber must check the box indicating his agreement with the PDMA (Prescription Drug Marketing Act which is a federal regulation prohibiting among other things the copying and/or selling of drug sample vouchers or coupons) guidelines before being allowed to print. The area  340  includes a “PRODUCT” line identifying the drug (DRUG A) for which the prescriber  210  may print coupons. An “Important Information” line specifies important information that the prescriber  210  can review in connection with the selected drug sample. An “INTENT TO PRINT NUMBER” line specifies the number of coupons which the prescriber  210  wishes to print. A “LOCATION” line allows the prescriber  210  to specify the prescriber&#39;s address that will be printed on the voucher. A “WHO” line allows the prescriber  210  to specify whether the prescriber  210  is a physician or an agent of the physician. A “NAME” line allows the person printing the coupons to specifically identify herself if she is an agent of the prescriber. Selecting a CONTINUE button  341  brings forth the Web page  302 E for the prescriber  210  to review. Selecting a CANCEL button  343  terminates the session. 
     The content of the Web page  302 E is in essence a coupon for the prescriber  210  to dispense to the patient  214 . A PRINT button  310 B allows the prescriber  210  to select and print out one or more coupons as specified on the Web page  302 D. Line  342  allows the prescriber  210  to cancel the printing process. Line  344  identifies the names of the prescriber “NORMAN SMITH M.D.” and the drug “DRUG A” to be redeemed by the printed coupon. Line  346  identifies a patient name. Line  348  contains the date that the coupon is given to the patient  214 , a carrier number “23” and a group ID number “9” associated with the claim when the coupon is presented at the pharmacy  215 . Line  350  identifies the drug to be redeemed by the coupon. Line  352  indicates the dosage. Additionally, an expiration date “May 24, 2000” is specified on line  352  (a rolling voucher expiration date from date printed or a fixed date as defined by pharma brand rules  206 ). Line  354  provides space for the prescriber&#39;s signature, and the prescriber&#39;s DEA number is shown next to an area where the prescriber writes his signature. Further, the printed voucher can be customized by the prescriber to include or not include his office phone number and DEA number. 
       FIGS. 4A-4L  illustrate a method  400  for enhancing a drug sample fulfillment program. For clarity purposes, the following description of the method  400  makes references to various elements illustrated in connection with the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  ( FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C), brand rules  206  ( FIG. 2A ), the drug sample Web site  230  ( FIG. 2C ), and Web pages  302 A- 302 E ( FIGS. 3A-3B ). From a start block, the method  400  proceeds to a set of method steps  402 , defined between a continuation terminal (“Terminal A”) and an exit terminal (“Terminal B”). The set of method steps  402  describes the commencement of the drug sample fulfillment program by determining a class of prescribers as a target for the drug sample fulfillment program. 
     From Terminal A ( FIG. 4C ), the method  400  proceeds to block  414  where the method receives one or more deciles of prescribers to target from the brand manager  304  of the pharma  302 . The method  400  also receives one or more criteria to target eligible prescribers as determined by the brand manager  204 . See block  416 . The method then divides a set of prescribers (from the selected deciles and specialties) into one or more segments according to the brand manager  204 . See block  418 . At block  420 , within each segment, the method  400  specifies a quantity of drug samples to distribute according to the brand manager  204 . Next, at block  422 , within each segment, the method  400  specifies a combination of sample types or forms (i.e., physical samples, pre-printed vouchers, or print coupons) to be made available to the prescribers  210  according to the brand manager  204 . See block  422 . Within each segment, the method  400  also specifies a time frame in which the drug samples are made available to the prescribers  210  according to the brand manager  204 . See block  424 . The method then charges the pharma  202  an implementation service fee for implementing the brand rules as set forth by the brand manager  204 . See block  426 . 
     Pharmaceutical companies and their sales representatives have certain rules that they use in determining that prescribers are to be given drug samples in general, as well as which drug samples are to be made available, and the quantity of such drug samples. These rules are established on a prescriber-by-prescriber basis and are in effect when a prescriber requests drug samples. Such rules can be based on many factors, including the specialty of the prescriber, the prescriber&#39;s location, the prescriber&#39;s age, the prescriber&#39;s past history of requesting drug samples and providing such samples to patients, and the prescriber&#39;s history in prescribing such drugs. When a prescriber&#39;s practice or situation changes, the rules for the prescriber with respect to drug samples provided can also be altered. From here, the method  400  enters the exit Terminal B. 
     From the exit Terminal B ( FIG. 4A ), the method  400  proceeds to a set of method steps  404 , defined between a continuation terminal (“Terminal C”) and an exit Terminal (“Terminal D”). The set of method steps  404  describes the ways in which targeted prescribers  210  request drug samples on-line via the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . 
     From Terminal C ( FIG. 4D ), the method  400  proceeds to block  428  where prescribers  210  are recruited to participate in the drug sample fulfillment program via prescriber-oriented portals, prescriber recruiting services, and/or e-Detailing providers. Other suitable recruitment techniques are possible, such as by telephone or fax. A recruited prescriber  210  is authenticated when he logs into a portal or a Web site giving access to the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . See block  430 . This prescriber  210  selects a link on the portal giving him access to the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . See block  432 . A transaction is generated when the link is selected that includes a prescriber identifier and a partner identifier and these are forwarded to the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . See block  434 . Based on the partner identifier, the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  tailors the Web pages in to emulate the look and feel of the prescriber-oriented portal. See block  436 . The application specific messaging protocol allows the prescriber-oriented portal to open the sample fulfillment platform  208  within a frame allowing the prescriber  210  to navigate Web pages. See block  438 . The method then enters another continuation terminal (“Terminal C 1 ”). 
     From Terminal C 1  ( FIG. 4E ), the method  400  proceeds to decision block  440  where a test is made to determine whether the prescriber  210  is in the request database  232 . If the answer to the test at decision block  440  is NO, the method  400  proceeds to block  442  where the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  causes the prescriber  210  to complete a registration process requiring information such as name, DEA number, medical state license number, etc. The method  400  proceeds next to block  444 . If the answer to the test at decision block  440  is YES, the method  400  also enters block  444 . The method  400  determines drug samples that are available to the prescriber (who belongs to a certain segment of prescribers). See block  444 . At block  446 , the method  400  determines a sample quantity limit for each drug sample that is available to the prescriber  210 . At block  448 , the method  400  determines a sample time limit for each drug sample that is available to the prescriber. For example, a particular drug is available to a prescriber for a limited duration beyond which he cannot order more. Next, the method  400  determines the type or form of sample that is appropriate for each drug sample that is available to the prescriber  210 . See block  450 . 
     Various embodiments of the present invention can also take into consideration certain preferences of a prescriber, such as printing DEA and/or office telephone numbers on the print on-demand voucher. The method  400  then enters another continuation terminal (“Terminal C 2 ”). 
     From Terminal C 2  ( FIG. 4F ), the available drug samples and its forms are presented to the prescriber  210  via an application specific messaging protocol. See block  452 . Next, at decision block  454 , a test is made to determine whether the prescriber selected physical samples. If the answer is NO, another test is made at decision block  456  where it is determined whether the prescriber  210  selected pre-printed vouchers. If the answer to the test at decision block  454  or  456  is YES, the method  400  enters block  458 . The prescriber  210  selects the drug samples that he is interested in on the Web page  302 B. See block  458 . Next, at block  460 , the prescriber  210  selects the sample types (physical samples or pre-printed vouchers) available for the selected drug samples and quantity. See Web page  302 B. The method  400  enters another continuation terminal (“Terminal C 3 ”). 
     If the answer to the test at decision block  456  is NO, the method  400  enters another continuation terminal (“Terminal C 4 ”). 
     From Terminal C 3  ( FIG. 4G ), the method  400  proceeds to block  462  where the prescriber  210  selects a delivery address to which the physical samples or the pre-printed vouchers will be sent. See Web page  302 B. The prescriber prints out the sample request order and signs the sample request order in one embodiment. In another embodiment, he need not sign the sample request order if it is for pre-printed vouchers  244 . See block  464  (see also the Web page  302 C). Next, at block  466 , the prescriber  210  faxes the signed sample request order  236  to a fulfillment vendor  240  in accordance with the instructions on the sample request order  236 . The prescriber  210  receives the order from the fulfillment vendor  240 . See block  468 . The requesting activities of the prescriber  210  are then recorded in the request database  232 . The method  400  then enters the exit Terminal D. 
     From Terminal C 4  ( FIG. 4H ), the method  400  proceeds to block  472  where the prescriber  210  selects the drug samples for which he is interested in printing out coupons. The coupons that are printed by the prescriber are dynamically built at the time requested so as to include the prescriber&#39;s name and address, the particular drug requested, the strength of the drug, the expiration date of the voucher, the prescriber&#39;s DEA number, and the trademark and logo not only of the drug, but also of the drug manufacturer. The method  400  then enters another continuation terminal (“Terminal C 5 ”). 
     From Terminal C 5  ( FIG. 4I ), the method  400  proceeds to block  474  where the method  400  presents the maximum number of coupons the prescriber can print. The prescriber selects the number of coupons to be printed. See block  478  (see also the Web page  302 D). The prescriber  210  then specifies whether a physician is printing coupons or whether an agent of the physician is printing them. See block  480  (see also the Web page  302 D). If the agent is printing the coupons, the name of the agent is requested by the method  400 . See block  482 . The prescriber then prints out the number of coupons. See block  484 . The method  400  then enters the exit Terminal D. 
     From the exit Terminal D ( FIG. 4A ), the method  400  proceeds to a set of method steps  406 , defined between a continuation terminal (“Terminal E”) and an exit terminal (“Terminal F”). The set of method steps  406  describes the act of giving physical samples to patients by targeted prescribers  210  or patients  214  redeeming pre-printed vouchers or print coupons at pharmacies. 
     From Terminal E ( FIG. 4J ), the prescriber  210  gives the patient  214  physical samples, pre-printed vouchers, print coupons, or all of these. See block  486 . The patient  214  redeems the pre-printed vouchers or print coupons at the pharmacy  215 . See block  488 . A claim is entered into the computer system at the pharmacy  215 , and a clearinghouse, such as a pharmacy benefit manager, approves the claim. See block  490 . If the claim is approved, the patient  214  receives the physical samples for free. See block  492 . The clearinghouse then forwards claim data to the request database  232 , where it is stored for later analysis. See block  494 . The method  400  then enters the exit Terminal F. 
     From Terminal F ( FIG. 4A ), the method  400  proceeds to another continuation terminal (“Terminal F 1 ”). From Terminal F 1  ( FIG. 4B ), the method  400  proceeds to a set of method steps  408 , defined between a continuation terminal (“Terminal G”) and an exit terminal (“Terminal H”). The set of method steps  408  describes the commencement of the generation of reports and fraud detection is enabled. 
     From Terminal G ( FIG. 4K ), the method  400  proceeds to block  496 , where the prescriber data, the request data, and the claim data are extracted from the request database  232 . See block  496 . The method  400  then proceeds to block  498  where the method  400  prepares standard and custom reports for the pharma  202 . There are three types of reports that are possible. One report lists sample demand statistics. For example, the number of drug samples requested by a certain prescriber can be reported. As another example, the number of vouchers or coupons that were redeemed by patients of a particular prescriber can also reported. The second type of report provides promotional response analysis. For example, the correlation of the requested drug samples and the prescribing behavior of a particular prescriber is described. The third type of report focuses on return on investment analysis. For example, the pharma  202  spends a certain amount of money in connection with the drug sample fulfillment program managed by the brand manager  204 . The number of prescriptions for the same drug by a certain prescriber can be correlated with the spending of the pharma  202  to generate potential return on investment analysis. 
     Through the process described above, certain information is captured, including the name of the prescriber, the date of the redemption of the coupon, the identity of the drug sample given, as well as certain information about the patient, but without identifying the patient. This information is made available to the pharma  202  so that vouchers and coupons for sample medications distributed by prescribers can be tracked. The pharma  202  can also obtain information as to the prescribing of the drug in question by a prescriber through the request database  232 . In this manner, the pharma  202  can evaluate the effectiveness of providing drug samples to a prescriber, including how often the prescriber prescribes that same drug. This enables the pharma  202  to make determinations, including not only the success of its sample program generally, but also with respect to continuing to make samples of the drug available to the prescriber. The reported information can also be used to identify prescribers who would be good targets for new drugs being introduced by pharmaceutical companies or good candidates for drug focus groups, as well as perhaps for other products and services of interest to prescribers. Lastly, these reports can be utilized by sales representatives for the purpose of generating and distributing sample vouchers to their targeted prescriber clientele. 
     The information generated in these reports also aids in fraud analysis. For a given prescriber, an allocation limit for drug samples associated with that prescriber is known. Moreover, the time frame in which those drug samples are valid is also known and specified in the brand rules  206  by the brand manager  204 . Based on the redemptions that come in via the claim data provided by the claim processor  250 , fraud analysis can determine whether more vouchers or coupons were redeemed within the time frame limit than had been allocated. If there is an inconsistency between the allocation limit and the number of redeemed vouchers or coupons by patients, a flag is raised for further investigation. Preferably, the pre-printed vouchers and print coupons contain the prescriber&#39;s DEA number or other identifying indicia for accurate fraud detection analysis. The method  400  then enters the exit Terminal H. 
     From Terminal H ( FIG. 4B ), the method  400  proceeds to a set of method steps  410 , defined between a continuation terminal (“Terminal I”) and an exit terminal (“Terminal J”). The set of method steps  410  describes the payment calculation for each drug sample fulfillment transaction. 
     From Terminal I ( FIG. 4L ), the method  400  proceeds to block  499 , where the pharma  202  is charged a reporting fee for the preparation of the reports generated in the set of method steps  408 . For each request for a sample from a prescriber, the pharma  202  is also charged a transaction request fee. See block  497 . The pharma  202  is also charged a sample voucher redemption fee for each successful redemption of a print coupon or a pre-printed voucher by the patient  214 . See block  495 . Not shown is an annual fee charged to the pharma  202  for the use of the drug sample fulfillment platform  208  and the maintenance of the drug sample fulfillment platform  208 . Software updates as well as customization of various brand rules specified by the brand manager fall under this fee. The method  400  then enters the exit Terminal J. 
     From Terminal J ( FIG. 4B ), the method  400  proceeds to a set of method steps  412 , defined between a continuation terminal (“Terminal K”) and an exit terminal (“Terminal L”). The set of method steps  412  describes the commencement of the refining of the drug sample fulfillment program to enhance the ability of certain prescribers  210  to access drug samples. 
     From Terminal K ( FIG. 4M ), the method  400  proceeds to block  493  where a return on investment analysis is performed to determine the economics of the drug sample fulfillment program for a particular drug. The analysis is then presented to the pharma  202  to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. See block  491 . The availability of drug samples to a class of prescribers  210  or an individual prescriber is then modified. See block  489 . From there the method  400  proceeds to the exit Terminal F and finishes execution. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.