Final answer:
Physicians can provide drug samples to patients if they are FDA-approved, but may need to comply with specific regulations. There are ethical concerns about dispensing untested drugs in situations like an Ebola outbreak, balanced against the risks of strict regulatory processes that can delay drug availability to those in urgent need.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether a physician needs to register to dispense drugs, including samples, to patients depends on laws and regulations that can vary by jurisdiction. Generally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that only approved drugs are to be prescribed and distributed by licensed practitioners. While physicians can usually provide free samples to their patients, the samples must be FDA-approved, and there may be specific regulations they need to follow in regard to documentation and handling.
There are ethical considerations when it comes to dispensing unregistered and untested medications, especially in emergency health crises. For instance, deploying untested drugs during an outbreak, such as that of Ebola, raises questions about safety, efficacy, and moral responsibility. It is essential to weigh the potential benefits of providing immediate relief against the risks of unknown side effects or ineffective treatment. Conversely, strict regulations can sometimes delay access to potentially life-saving drugs for those in critical need, making them the 'anonymous losers' in the system due to prolonged testing and approval processes.