Most physicians have specific prescribing patterns and preferences with medications that they like to use for treatment of their patients. For example, although many choices are available for the treatment of hypertension, the physician will choose the medication that he/she has the most experience with and is most comfortable with. This is true for any condition such as infections, diabetes, cholesterol, cardiac problems, etc.
We suggest that each medical office should keep ready-to-go dispensable bottles with one month’s supply of these common medications that the physician prefers to prescribe. When the physician initiates therapy, he can dispense one month’s supply to the patient and enter further refills into the patients E-Record. A subsequent supply of refills can be sent to the patient directly by the manufacturer based on the instructions entered by the physician on the E-Record. This method can be used for most common and non-emergency medications and will reduce the need for pharmacy visits by more than half, saving billions of dollars and countless hours for patients and their families.
We have the best and most well trained pharmacists in the world; however, they are overburdened with work. This new system will reduce their workload and make the drug delivery system more efficient and less cumbersome.
