Gastroenterologists and their patients can realize multiple benefits from the dispensation of medication at the point of care. Direct dispensing creates more revenue for medical practices, is more convenient for patients, increases patient satisfaction, and often results in patients adhering to their treatment more closely.
According to one survey, 78% of people would prefer to get their medication at the point of care rather than from a pharmacy.
Gastroenterologists treat patients with a myriad of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Because Crohn’s disease, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and most other gastrointestinal diseases make patients extremely uncomfortable, the last thing they want to do is wait in line at a pharmacy for their prescription to be filled.
What Is In-Office Medication Dispensing?
In-office medication dispensing eliminates an inconvenient middleman – namely, the pharmacy. In-office medication dispensing is the practice of delivering prescriptions to patients at the point of care. This means that physicians have medications in stock to sell to their patients as soon as they prescribe them instead of sending the latter to a pharmacy.
Physicians can reap many benefits from selling medications directly to their patients. Most importantly, it’s more convenient for patients. It can also be a valuable source of income for physicians.
To establish an in-office dispensing program, gastroenterologists can work with a health services company. By providing all the technology a gastroenterologist’s office needs and delivering prepackaged prescriptions and treatment products, a qualified medication dispensing company can help physicians establish and maintain such a program.
6 Benefits of Gastroenterology Medication Dispensing
– Eliminate Pharmacy Visits
Approximately 30% of all prescriptions sent to a pharmacy never get filled. By selling treatments in-office, gastroenterologists can eliminate the inconvenience of a pharmacy for their patients. Patients will leave their appointment with their treatment instructions and medication in hand.
Many gastroenterology patients have diseases that make it uncomfortable for them to wait in line at a pharmacy. The last thing they want to do after an appointment with their gastroenterologist is wait in a pharmacy debating if it’s worth losing their spot in line to use the bathroom. The simplest solution is for gastroenterologists to sell their most commonly prescribed medications, including Gavilyte-C, Gavilyte-G, Gavilyte-H, Gavilyte-N, Ondansetron, and PEG 3350, in their office.
– Increase Treatment Compliance
By some estimates, prescriptions have about a 40% non-compliance rate, which means that a significant number of patients either don’t take their prescriptions or take them incorrectly. Direct dispensing allows physicians to make sure their patients receive their medication and understand how to take it.
Direct dialogue between physician and patient during the appointment can help the patient understand their treatment program and how to take their medication properly. This can be especially helpful if the patient’s treatment involves a complicated medication such as an injectable that they may need a demonstration on how to use.
– Improve Physician-Patient Relationships
In-office dispensing simplifies the prescription process, reducing stress for patients and office staff. A less stressful experience will increase patient satisfaction and help maintain long-term physician-patient relationships. Patients will also appreciate that their medical needs will stay between them and their physician.
Having the opportunity to speak directly to their physician about their medications can increase patients’ trust, understanding, and satisfaction.
– Keep Gastroenterology Treatments Confidential
Gastroenterology patients often have issues, symptoms, and treatment programs that they wish to keep confidential. No one wants to talk to a stranger about their private medical issues. Patients can find it uncomfortable to speak with the pharmacist who is often unknown to them about their treatment.
In-office dispensing allows gastroenterologists to keep treatment plans between themselves and their patients. Patients have the freedom to ask any questions they may have directly to their trusted physician instead of an unknown pharmacist. Patients go home from their appointment with specific instructions, answers to their questions, and their medication.
– Increase Practice Revenue
Some medical practices have seen profit increases of up to 50% with in-office medication dispensing. Physicians can order the medications and treatments they dispense the most in bulk at wholesale prices and then sell them to patients at a fair price. This new source of revenue allows physicians to make money that pharmacies would usually make.
Increased revenue is great for physicians and staff who may be paid better, but also may end up helping with patient satisfaction. Extra revenue could be used to improve the office’s decor, comfort, technology, and more. Office improvements may help physicians retain patients and receive more recommendations for new patients.
– Save Gastroenterology Patients Money
One of the most common reasons that patients don’t pick up their prescriptions is cost. When physicians are the ones ordering, prescribing, and selling prescriptions for their patients, they are able to make sure they create affordable options.
Colonoscopy prep kits often cost over $100. These kits are not always covered by insurance, and pharmacies mark up the price to make a profit. Gastroenterology practices can generate additional profit and save patients money by selling these kits for less than the pharmacy would.
How to Get Started with Gastroenterology Medication Dispensing
The ideal health services company for a gastroenterologist will offer great customer service, is knowledgeable about the local medication dispensing laws, and has experience working with gastroenterology offices. A medication dispensing program will allow gastroenterologists to keep their most commonly prescribed medications in stock in their office.
Contact a reputable health services company today to get started with saving your patients time, money, and stress. Medication dispensing may just be the perfect solution for your gastroenterology practice.