4 Major Benefits of In-Office Medication Dispensing
Doctors can make filling prescriptions easier for their patients and employees by dispensing medications in their own medical office. In-office medication dispensing means medications are prescribed and distributed at the point of care, by a physician or their staff. This system cuts out the middle-man (the pharmacy) and streamlines the prescription process for everyone involved.
According to research conducted in 2007, 75% of people would rather receive their medications from their doctor’s office than go to a retail pharmacy.
In-office medication dispensing makes prescribing medication easier, more cost-effective, more efficient, and more confidential. Patients can leave their doctor’s appointment with the prescription they need, instructions directly from their trusted care provider, and no need to make a separate trip to the pharmacy. Dispensing medication in-office can also be a valuable source of revenue for doctors.
The Benefits of In-Office Medication Dispensing for Patients and Physicians
- Convenience
Dispensing medications directly from physician’s practice is more convenient for patients, doctors, and office staff.
Patients don’t have to make a trip to the pharmacy after their doctor’s appointment if they can get their medications directly from their doctor. Long lines, small staff, and high costs can all make a trip to the pharmacy difficult for patients.
Physician dispensing is especially beneficial for patients who have a hard time getting around. Post-op patients who are still sedated, elderly patients, injured or ill patients, and patients with young children can all find a trip to the pharmacy to be time-consuming and difficult. Patients who get their medication at their doctor’s office can avoid the hassle of the pharmacy completely.
In addition, doctors dispensing medications in the office can eliminate most pharmacy call-backs. Office staff often have to worry about contacting a patient’s pharmacy and correcting pharmacy errors when they occur. When physicians dispense medication in the office, they can save their staff time and frustration. Extra time means that staff can pay closer attention to patients and the office will run more efficiently.
2. Compliance
When doctors distribute medication in person, they can be sure that their patient received their prescriptions along with exact instructions on how to properly take them.
About 40% of the time, patients do not comply with prescription instructions, whether by not picking up the prescription or taking it incorrectly. Moreover, 30% of all prescriptions sent to the pharmacy are never even filled.
In-office medication dispensing means that doctors and staff can communicate the importance of the prescribed medication and put it directly in their patients’ hands. Patients can immediately go home and start their prescription regimen instead of having to wait for the pharmacy to fill the prescription and then find time to go pick it up.
Physician dispensing also means that doctors can regularly check in with their patients, since patients will need to return to the office to receive their medication refills. This gives doctors more opportunities to make sure their patients are taking their medication as prescribed and benefiting from it.
3. Confidence
Greater compliance with medication regimens means that patients are more likely to see better results and have more confidence in their doctor. Greater patient satisfaction tends to engender more trust between the doctor and their patient.
Patients also appreciate that their medical needs will stay between them and their doctor. Patients can sometimes feel uncomfortable visiting a pharmacist they’ve never met and having to talk about their medication in a public place. Medical issues are personal and confidential. With in-office dispensing, conversations about health needs don’t need to leave the doctor’s office.
Everyone benefits from a stronger doctor-patient relationship. Greater patient satisfaction means more good reviews for the practice and potentially more new-patient referrals.
4. Cost
In-office pharmaceutical dispensing benefits patients and doctors financially as well. Doctors can save their patients money by choosing affordable medications and charging less than a pharmacy might. Simultaneously, doctors can tap into a new revenue stream by selling medications directly to patients instead of letting pharmacies profit. Some clinics have seen profit increases of up to 50% by implementing in-office medication dispensing.
Office staff can also help patients choose the cheapest medicine options and work with their insurance companies to ensure their medications are covered.
How to Start Medication Dispensing
In-office medication dispensing is regulated at the state level. At present, the vast majority of states allow physicians to dispense medication directly from their offices. Some of those states require physicians to get a specific dispensing license, while others allow dispensing as a matter of course with a state medical license. Only Texas, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and New Jersey have strict laws banning in-office medication dispensing.
The best way to get started dispensing medications is to contact an experienced health solutions company. Once the dispensing program is set up and the staff has been trained, dispensing medication in-person to patients can benefit any medical practice immensely.
