Is "free" really free? Ethical implications of short-term discounts and giveaways to hospitals.

Canadian hospitals participate in provincial and national procurement processes to help reduce healthcare costs. This allows for redirection of funds to direct patient care, along with creating networks, integrating services, and improving innovative solutions. To be competitive, vendors offer creative solutions and provide free or low-cost supplies to hospitals with the hope that patients will continue to purchase those items when discharged.