Physician Dispensing
Customized for Your Office
What is in-office dispensing?
In-office dispensing, also called point-of-care (POC) dispensing, allows patients to purchase generic medications directly from their doctor. Prescriptions are pre-packaged in quantities and doses matched to the prescribing habits of the physician.
Using SGA Medical Solutions and our automated system, a physician’s practice will have the ability to dispense medications directly to patients and includes customizable options for worker’s compensation, personal injury claims, group health adjudication, and mail order prescriptions.
Is in-office dispensing a new concept?
Point-of-care dispensing has been around since physicians began practicing medicine, but a re-emergence of the industry as an industry began in the early 1980’s with repackaged drugs being introduced into the market. In 1983, a nationwide campaign led by the retail pharmacy industry was introduced with the intent to eliminate the physician’s right to dispense. In 1985, legislation in Congress was passed in 46 states to secure the physician’s right to dispense FDA approved medications to their own patients. Since then, dispensing systems were developed to make the process fast, easy, and cost effective for the physician. As office costs continue to rise while reimbursements continue to decrease, physicians are turning to ancillary services such as in-office dispensing to help increase their office revenue.
Is In-Office Dispensing Legal?
In 43 out of 50 states, it is legal for physicians to dispense medications to their patients in their office. Three states have limitations on dispensing and four prohibit dispensing. For information related to specifics in your state, please visit our Dispensing FAQs
To be contacted by one of SGA Medical’s dispensing consultants, please contact us.