You need a reason why they would sell more patches if those patches do not require a prescription.

There is a saying here "A difference requires a distinction." In other words, if you wish to explain why two things are different - for example sales when a prescription is required vs sales when a prescription is not required - you need to have an answer choice that distinguishes between these two.

That is what choice D does. If smokers cannot afford to go to the doctor for the prescription then they may not be able to buy the patches when a prescription is required. The distinction is, of course, without a prescription requirement those people could buy the patch.

Choice E does not offer a distinction, in fact it does the opposite. It makes some things the same. For example, I cannot explain why one person scores higher on the GMAT by pointing out something that is the same - for example, everyone gets 75 minutes for the Quant and Verbal sections. I need something that is different - person A studied more than person B. Choice E just tells us that various aids have the same rate of success so this does not offer a distinction AND we are interested in sales of the patch before and after the prescription requirement and not in comparing the patch to other types of stop-smoking aids.

Hi,

Identifying the conclusion in the stimulus is the best way to start.

Conclusion: Non-prescription patches will boost sales

look for option that supports this.

A: talks about the patches being helpful. That's not what we are looking for
B: Nic skin patches cost more than others- then, why buy these at all when people have other options!
C: several other aids are widely available. so? that does not ans our q.
E: if other aids and nic patches have the same rate of success, how will this help boost sales? why will people buy nic patches when there are several other aids? - E does not answer out question either!

D: Many smokers who want to quit smoking feel that they cannot afford to visit a doctor for a prescription.

So, with the availability of NP-Nic patches, they DO NOT have to spend money on visiting a doc; instead, they can directly buy it from the pharmacy. so, this will boost sales.

Answer: [spoiler]D
[/spoiler]

Hope this helps!!

amysky_0205 wrote:In Borania many people who want to quit smoking wear nicotine skin patches, which deliver small doses of nicotine through the skin. Beginning next month, these patches can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. Although nonprescription patches will be no more effective than those obtained by prescription and will be equally expensive, patch manufacturers are nevertheless predicting that the patches' new nonprescription status will boost sales, which have slowed considerably in recent years.

Which of the following, if true in Borania, most strongly supports the manufacturers' prediction?

A. Most people who wanted to quit smoking and who found the nicotine skin patch helpful in quitting have quit.
B. Nicotine skin patches generally cost more to use than do other types of aids that help people to quit smoking.
C. Several nonprescription aids aimed at helping people to quit smoking have been widely available for a number of years.
D. Many smokers who want to quit smoking feel that they cannot afford to visit a doctor for a prescription.
E. People who use nicotine skin patches have approximately the same rate of success in quitting smoking as do people who use other aids aimed at helping people to quit smoking.

OA: D

can someone explain this one?
I chose E instead of D.

thank u!!!!

Very nice explanation mparakala. Very succinct. I think you explained it better than I did!

Thank you for the appreciation David!