According to the CDC, somewhere around 50 percent of patients don’t take their medication as directed. Many patients don’t pick up their prescription, some never take it, some take too much, or some start taking it and stop before their treatment program ends. By dispensing medication at the point of care, doctors can make sure their patients get their prescriptions and receive detailed instructions on how to take them.
Medications won’t work if patients don’t take them, and treatment plans don’t work if patients don’t adhere to them. Medication compliance, or adherence, is the measure of how closely patients follow their medication directions from their doctor. Dispensing medication in-office may be able to increase medication adherence. Higher adherence rates will likely improve treatment results and quality of care.
The following are some ways that in-office dispensing could help improve patient adherence.
1. Patients Receive Medication Immediately
When prescriptions are dispensed at the point of care, patients leave their doctor’s appointments with their medications in hand. This means patients can begin taking their medication as soon as possible.
2. Patients Don’t Have to Go to the Pharmacy
People are busy. They may work long hours, have children and obligations, or they may have physical limitations or experience pain that keeps them from getting to the pharmacy. Doctors can cut out the pharmacy altogether by providing medication dispensing services in the office.
While cutting out the pharmacy helps patients save time, it also prevents the risk of pharmacy error. When physicians dispense medications to their patients directly, they can make sure the prescription is correct. This also avoids calls back and forth to the pharmacy to fix errors.
3. Doctors Can Explain Directions In-Person
The best way to make sure patients are taking their medications correctly is to give them clear directions. Patients will appreciate this approach because they will be able to ask questions directly to their doctors, nurses, and other staff instead of a busy pharmacist they don’t know.
Physicians can also use the communication opportunity provided by in-office dispensing to explain the importance of the prescribed medication and what to expect while taking it. Patients sometimes stop taking their medication prematurely because of side effects or because their symptoms went away. Dispensing doctors can take time to explain why it’s important to continue taking the medication until the treatment plan is complete.
4. Providers Can Provide Support
Doctors, nurses, and staff at any medication dispensing clinic can take a hands-on approach to help patients navigate their prescriptions. One major way office staff can help patients is by introducing them to assistance plans, coupons, and other ways to make their medication more affordable. When prescriptions are filled in the clinic, staff can help the patient communicate with their insurance company about coverage and more.
5. Providers Can Monitor Prescription Refills
Prescriptions dispensed by physicians can also be refilled by physicians. Doctors can use this information to monitor their patients’ adherence. Only about 15 percent to 20 percent of prescriptions are refilled as directed, according to the CDC.
Refills are also a great opportunity for physicians to check on the status of their patient and make sure their treatment is working.
How to Begin In-Office Medication Dispensing
The best way for physicians to make sure their patients are getting their prescriptions is to give medications to them in person. Using in-office dispensing, doctors can make sure their patients leave their office with everything they need to get started on their treatment program as soon as possible.
Contacting a reputable health solutions company is the best way for any clinic to begin dispensing medications. An experienced medication dispensing service will provide all the technology, support, and training that clinic staff needs to begin dispensing medications to patients.
Physicians should also check with their local state board of pharmacy to make sure they are eligible to begin dispensing. Most states allow physician dispensing without complications, though some states require fees, permits, or other specific conditions. Very few states do not allow physician dispensing.
In-office dispensing is accessible in most areas of the country, streamlines the prescription process, and helps improve patient satisfaction.