6 Ways Rheumatologists Benefit From Dispensing Medication In-Office
In-office dispensing allows physicians to sell prescription medications directly to their patients at their practice. Rheumatologists can save their patients a trip to the pharmacy by dispensing treatments to them directly. Many rheumatology patients have difficulty getting to the pharmacy because of the mobility issues associated with arthritis.
Direct dispensing is more convenient to patients, streamlines the prescription process for everyone involved, and creates more revenue for medical practices. Dispensing medication also increases patient satisfaction, can help patients understand and comply with their treatments, and helps develop better doctor-patient relationships.
What Is In-Office Medication Dispensing?
Physician dispensing is the practice of preparing and distributing prescriptions to patients at the point-of-care. This means doctors can prescribe medications to patients at their appointments and then give them their medications before they leave the office. This process makes getting prescriptions easier and more convenient for patients. It also makes prescribing medication simpler for physicians and their staff.
According to one survey, 78% of people would rather receive their medications from their physician’s office than go to the pharmacy.
An experienced health services company can help rheumatologists set up and maintain an in-office dispensing program. These companies deliver prepackaged prescriptions and provide all the technology the rheumatology practice needs. With the help of their chosen medication dispensing company, rheumatologists can decide exactly which medications and products they prescribe most and keep them in stock in their office.
6 Benefits of Medication Dispensing for Rheumatologists
1. Save patients a trip to the pharmacy — 30% of all prescriptions sent to the pharmacy are never even filled. Rheumatologists often work with patients who struggle with mobility issues due to arthritis. It can be difficult for arthritis patients to drive to the pharmacy and then stand in line for their medication. Medication dispensing saves patients a trip to the pharmacy by allowing physicians to sell their commonly prescribed medications in their office. Rheumatology patients can leave their appointment with their treatment in-hand.
2. Monitor patients’ treatment adherence and progress — According to one study, prescriptions have about a 40% non-compliance rate, meaning that 40% of prescriptions either aren’t taken correctly or aren’t taken at all. Direct dispensing can increase patient compliance by allowing the physician to make sure their patient receives their medication as well as completes instructions for use during their visit. In-office dispensing also means that patients are likely to return to the office for their refills. This way, doctors know that their patient has been taking their medication and can even check in with them for updates on their treatment progress.
3. Help patients understand their self-injectable therapies — Patients who have rheumatoid arthritis might have to self-inject medication. Rheumatologists commonly prescribe disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics that are in injectable form. It’s exceptionally helpful for rheumatologists to have these drugs on hand so that they can help patients learn how to inject their treatment during their appointment. In-office medication dispensing allows doctors to use a hands-on approach to teaching patients how to self-administer their arthritis medication.
4. Develop stronger relationships with patients — Rheumatologists can create stronger relationships with their patients through in-office dispensing. Instead of going to the pharmacy and having to ask a stranger about their medications, in-office dispensing allows patients to speak directly with their familiar physician and office staff. Rheumatology patients appreciate the opportunity to keep their private medical information between themselves and their doctor.
5. Accumulate extra practice revenue — Rheumatologists can also make extra revenue by selling medications directly to patients. Patients usually go to a pharmacy that makes a huge profit off of their sales. By implementing medication dispensing, doctors can keep those profits in-house and use them to provide a better healing environment for their patients. Some medical practices have seen profit increases of up to 50% by implementing in-office medication dispensing.
6. Save rheumatology patients money on their treatment — Doctors who dispense their own medications can order products in bulk at wholesale prices and then sell them to patients for a fair price. Rheumatologists treat patients with a number of immune diseases that have pricey treatment costs. Even specialty creams for rheumatoid arthritis can be extremely expensive. By selling pills, creams, and injections in their office, rheumatologists have the opportunity to set their own prices and potentially save their patients money.
How to start dispensing rheumatology medications
The best way to get started dispensing medications in-office is to contact a reputable health services company. Find a company that specializes in medication dispensing. These companies often have a wide variety of resources to help physicians set up an efficient in-office prescription program. Look for a company that has great customer service, offers user-friendly technology, and is experienced in working with rheumatologists.
Rheumatologists interested in dispensing medication in-office should also contact their local board of pharmacy. Each state’s board of pharmacy has its own specific laws regarding dispensing prescriptions, especially when it comes to controlled substances. Your chosen medication dispensing company should be able to help you navigate any complicated local laws.
