A vending machine in the lobby of the practice to dispense generic drugs...not to replace the pharmacy but offer a method of convenience both for the practice and the patient...
Visit the office of FP James Judd in Hatboro, PA, and right behind the receptionist you'll see what resembles a blue soda machine.
But don't get your hopes up for a can of cola. What comes out of this hulking box are bottles of generic medications to treat hypertension, diabetes, infections, and other common disorders. Instead of pushing quarters down a slot, patients pay for the meds at the front desk.
Judd is co-founder and medical director of QuiqMeds, a 2-year-old company that outfits doctors with these computerized vending machines. The company's premise is that by selling generic drugs, doctors not only spare patients a trip to the pharmacy, but improve medication compliance. After all, 10 percent of new prescriptions are never filled, according to a patient-education group called Consumer Health Information.
The unit stores 400 to 700 bottles of medication (depending on their size) that are sealed and safety-capped. A doctor selects a drug on a computer touch screen and specifies strength and dosage instructions. The system prints out a drug information sheet for the patient along with two peel-off labels, one for the bottle and the other for the chart. Quiq-Meds monitors the inventory through an Internet connection and dispatches a representative to restock the machine when needed. Only QuiqMeds, in fact, can get inside the machine, reducing the likelihood of theft.
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