Doctor’s offices around the U. S. are adopting in-house pharmacies to help better serve their patients and also help add additional revenue streams. Physicians are already performing more internal services like Lab Test, x-rays and electrocardiograms. Why shouldn’t they incorporate office dispensaries in their practice? Most states are falling in line with the trend, with a few select state now lobbying for legislation that would allow them to participate as well. Supporters advocate patients should have the right to choose where they buy their medications.
According to the journal intro medicine 31% of new prescriptions are never filled. The typical doctor writes 1.4 prescriptions per visit. All these prescriptions are leaving the office and adding to the responsibility of the patient to do as a doctor prescribes for their treatment with about a third being unfilled. Patients on Medicare or the elderly usually have to find rides to their physicians office, which often makes transport to the pharmacy even more challenging. In these cases, receiving both services at the same location would eliminate the hassle.
In Worker’s Compensation cases, the system can be so bureaucratic and complicated that an injured employee could wait days before receiving needed medication through a pharmacy.
In-practice Pharmacies can also ease problems with over-prescribing. A recent study found that more than 1 in 100 discontinued prescriptions were filled by pharmacy nonetheless. The American Medical Association official stance on this subject states. “Physicians may dispense drugs within their office practices provided such dispensing primarily benefits the patients.” It’s important to check your state’s policy on doctor-dispensed medications. We are here to help you with any questions or concerns.