Choosing a medication dispensing company is an important decision. The company you choose will have a huge impact on the future of your medical practice. There are many health services companies that offer medication dispensing programs. With so many options available, physicians need to know what to look for to find the best company for their practice.
Knowledge of the Licensing and Certification Process
Every state has different licensing laws. An experienced medication dispensing company will have knowledge of your state’s laws and the licensing process. Each state has its own board of pharmacy. Every board of pharmacy has different requirements for physician dispensing.
Physicians who need to prescribe controlled substances also need to have extra licensing and follow specific procedures. Controlled substances need to be stored in secure cabinets and prescribed with caution. A quality medication dispensing company will have knowledge of all of your state’s specific laws and requirements. They will also walk you through the process of applying for any specific licenses you may need.
Up-to-Date and User-Friendly Technology
Medication dispensing is made easy by the use of state-of-the-art dispensing software. This software allows doctors and staff to manage inventory, dispense medications, and keep track of patient refills. This software can also help you create and print drug labels for prescriptions. The best software can also alert prescribers of the side-effects of different drugs, potential drug interactions, and even expiration dates.
While the advanced software features are important, it’s most important for this software to be secure. Medication dispensing companies should take software security and patient privacy extremely seriously. These companies should always follow all HIPAA rules and regulations to protect patient medical records.
Pre-Packaged, Ready-to-Dispense Medication
Physician dispensing is simple and easy when the medication dispensing company delivers pre-packaged medications. These medications should be pre-counted, sealed, and ready to dispense. Simply print the label for the patient and dispense.
A quality medication dispensing company will also help maintain inventory, and keep track of how much the practice needs to stock. Pediatricians, gynecologists, family doctors, and all physicians have medications that they prescribe over and over. The medication dispensing company they use will know exactly which drugs they need to keep on hand and in the correct quantities.
Dedicated Customer Service Team
Customer service is one of the most important aspects of any business relationship. The best medication dispensing companies help every medical practice they serve to set up their dispensing program with ease. They will help staff learn how to use their software, assist physicians in understanding their inventory, and help the whole office work as a team to implement their new dispensing program.
Customer service shouldn’t end after the program is set up. High quality medication dispensing companies provide ongoing customer assistance. Any questions that doctors and staff may have about dispensing should be answered quickly and thoroughly. Even the most smoothly-running programs encounter occasional snags. Make sure to choose a medication dispensing company that will be there to provide support anytime it’s needed.
Long-Term Experience in Medication Dispensing
Experience is invaluable in the world of medicine. The simplest way to find out what kind of experience a certain medication dispensing company has is to check their website. Look for an “About Us” page that describes the types of programs they offer and how many years they’ve been in business. A company that has been in business for a long time may be able to serve you better.
Experience with a specific type of medical practice is always a plus. Whether you work in orthopedics, podiatry, or cardiology, a company that has worked with your specific type of medicine will be the most ideal. Ask a representative from the company if they have experience working in your specialty before you choose them as your dispensing company.
Search for the Right Medication Dispensing Company
Start searching for the right medication dispensing company as soon as possible. Check out the websites of companies that serve your local area. Reach out to a few different companies. Be sure to have a list of questions ready to make sure you get all the information you need. Do you need custom medications made? Do you want the newest software available? Do you need 24/7 customer support?
The search for the right medication dispensing company can be simple if you know what you’re looking for. Keep in mind the five criteria from this article and your specific needs for your staff and your patients. Choose a company that has experience, great customer service, up-to-date technology, and that has the potential to have a healthy long-term business relationship with your medical practice.