Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9601

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Phillips JH.
Dispensing with the RPh's services
American Druggist 1987 Mar; 195:46-48

Abstract:

The effects of alternative dispensing sites such as the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), on the practice of pharmacy, patient health and satisfaction and overall cost of health care were investigated and the prevalence of, and potential for, dispensing prescription drugs within ACCs were surveyed by mail questionnaires sent to 1760 ACCs. Results of the study, based on a response rate of 23%, suggest that dispensing prescription drugs is a viable ACC service. Approximately 39% of the ACCs surveyed offered prescription drug dispensing services. Another 15% of the ACCs surveyed were planning to start offering dispensing services in the near future. It appears that dispensing services may be added as deemed necessary or demand dictates. Only 20% of the respondent ACCs were advertising prescription drug dispensing service. Very few dispensing ACC respondents (5%) employed a pharmacist. Respondent dispensing ACCs acquired their prescription drugs from a variety of traditional sources. Drug wholesalers were the major suppliers, but almost one-fourth of the dispensing ACCs indicated that their prescription drugs are acquired from local retail pharmacies. It was concluded that pharmacists may be able to recoup at least some of their loss by supplying the drugs which are dispensed in ACCs.