Popping Pills Out of an ATM

There's a new vending machine making its way into doctors' offices across the country, but instead of dispensing soda or snacks, it spits out generic-drug samples--for free. Only physicians can access the machines, which are designed to counteract the armies of sales representatives who supply medical offices with samples of expensive brand-name drugs. The reps know that patients tend to stick with the familiar, even if doing so means paying more to get a prescription filled. Enter MedVantx of San Diego, whose ATM-like dispensers enable doctors for the first time to give away samples of less costly generics. Says CEO Robert...