In-office Dispensing—A Mandatory Part of
the Modern Medical Practice?

by Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Joined practice July 2006 of
John K Throckmorton, DPM
Lansing, Michigan

Recently, I went to the Northeast Ohio Podiatry Association's Supersaver Seminar which included an excellent practice management track. These lectures included discussions about in-office dispensing of various products for a multitude of podiatric pathology. Now, unless you never receive the podiatry trade magazines you may not realize just how big of a market this is becoming. Look through Podiatry Management or Podiatry Today and you'll see page after page of advertisements for these products.

Here's my question: has in-office dispensing become mandatory for the success of today's modern medical practice?

Podiatry as a profession has been doing this sort of thing for some time, actually. Take orthotics, for example. Is this service we provide for our patients not in-office dispensing?

What about other specialties? Are we the only ones doing this? Look at our dermatology colleagues. How about plastic surgeons? Ever hear of Restylane and Botox? Even the dentists do in-office dispensing.

I was recently at a local hospital community function where I met one of my referring primary care physicians. She advertises microdermabrasion, among other skin care products in the office. Yes, even the DO and MD folks are doing it.

OK. So we're not the only ones doing it, but should we dispense these products?

Absolutely. We're not only improving our revenue stream, we're providing a service to our patients they may not have otherwise had access to. I'll illustrate with two examples. First, I dispense a topical antifungal product called Formula 3 to my patients who, for a variety of reasons, can't or won't take oral Lamisil. It costs them $30 (which is often comparable to their prescription copay), and they're told up front this is less effective than orals, but is a better alternative than antifungal creams. Coupled with periodic debridements and an antifungal spray for their shoes, they at least will not have progression of the fungus.

Second, cast covers. How many times have you done surgery or seen a wound care patient where they ask how to clean themselves? This is one of the most common preoperative questions I'm asked. With some of the new limb covers, they could cautiously bathe or shower without you worrying about their dressings becoming wet. Win-win situation!

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. For those of you starting your own practice, even as an associate to someone else, consider in-office dispensing as another way to improve your business' bottom line.

Is in-office dispensing mandatory? I don't know about “mandatory” but “beneficial?” – definitely.

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT New Docs Editor
[email protected]

.: Back to Archive :

GRAND SPONSOR

This program is supported by
an educational grant from
STRATA DIAGNOSTICS

MAJOR SPONSORS