While in-office dispensing has been around for quite some time, it is now more widely recognized by many doctors as a valuable asset to add to their practice because of the many benefits it provides to the clinical practice and the patients.
For a doctor with tremendous responsibility who wants to gain additional sources of income, an in-office medication dispensing system is one of the quickest and easiest ancillary opportunities to implement.
In-office medication dispensing is preparing and delivering prescribed medication to patients in the physician’s medical practice and other clinical settings.
The process has been proven to be safe, efficient, and cost-effective. It has also been a way to help patients stick to their treatment plans.
If you consider in-office dispensing for your practice, you can be guided by the seven benefits listed below.
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An additional source of income
When you choose to dispense medications in your office, it can provide additional revenue, which can be used to cover expenses such as employee salaries, rent, supplies, and other required costs. As revenues increase, you can apply the profits to other areas too.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, a doctor is typically visited by 25 patients every day and writes 1.4 prescriptions per consultation. If a practice could make $10 on the 35 prescriptions being made, the doctor’s daily profit would increase by $350 without occupying more of the doctor’s time.
Most doctors who choose in-office dispensing say that the service is now becoming so profitable that some private companies are already starting to invest in the business.
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Patient convenience and retention
It is convenient for most patients to immediately obtain the prescribed medicines as it eliminates the need to go to the pharmacy. Providing convenience to your patients will inspire both retention and referrals.
Research from the Journal of Internal Medicine shows that between 28% and 31% of new prescriptions are never filled, which leads to serious health conditions.
The most common reason for this is the transportation issue, especially for older adults; most of them take hours to go to the doctor’s clinic, making traveling to the pharmacy an extra challenge.
The convenience that physician dispensing provides eliminates all the traveling hassle a patient would otherwise face in the usual setting.
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Improved patient adherence and outcomes
When you dispense prescribed medications in the office, you will be able to monitor if your patient complied with the given recommendations. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to provide instruction and encouragement, making it more likely that the patient will follow the recommended treatment plan.
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Improved Patient Outcomes
With physician dispensing, you can better determine whether patients are compliant or non-compliant with their medications. You can follow when a prescription needs refills and have discussions with patients when they come for clinic appointments.
There are also options to allow for patients to have their needs met without needing an additional appointment. For example, they may be able to have a lab draw when they are picking up their medications.
Trust is built if patients see improvement in their condition while receiving their medications at the clinic. This helps to improve the relationship between you and your patients.
Trust is key for patient-doctor relationships, and meeting patient outcomes will make a difference.
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Confidentiality is respected
Most patients do not like the idea of traveling to the pharmacy to drop off their prescriptions because they need to wait for an hour in a place of little privacy.
In-office dispensing protects your patients’ privacy since the medication is usually handed in the doctor’s clinic/office. When confidentiality is respected, it builds patient trust and loyalty.
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Cost-saving
Your patients would ultimately save money. When you can fill patient’s prescriptions on-site, you can also have the opportunity to look for medication brands that will be most affordable for your patient.
You can also be affiliated with some insurance companies to find a low-cost treatment option for your patient to help them reduce their overall medical costs.
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Allows for Time with Patients
Staff in the clinic can spend a significant amount of time coordinating care for patients with pharmacies. Sometimes, it can take even more time than expected if phone calls are missed or faxes are not received.
Physician dispensing software allows for all staff at the clinic that can be better spent with your patients. Workflow can also improve as office staff can put more emphasis on other duties.
Freeing up time with in-office dispensing can give valuable time back to everyone, but ultimately you will have more time to spend with your patients, which is truly valuable.
Learn more about First Coast Health Solutions
If you are considering an in-office medication dispensing system for your practice, First Coast Health Solutions provides the right dispensing program for you. It is the leading full-service Physician In-Office Dispensing Pharmacy.
If you are still unsure, you can survey your patients. You can also have confidential conversations asking them what their preference is for receiving their prescriptions. It is likely that many patients prefer physician dispensing versus the pharmacy.
If you are interested in physician dispensing software, please contact us at 904-350-1155 or fill out an online contact form and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. We are happy to serve and help every step of the way.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
