Posted by Cam W. on March 6, 2000, at 6:49:49
In reply to Re: Pharmacists - Online?, posted by Dr. Bob on March 6, 2000, at 0:34:46
Dr. Bob -
1) Not seeing people's reactions on this board has left me wondering, at times. At least once already I have misread a post and lashed out where I shouldn't have. I guess you can misread people face-to-face as well, but I doubt as often. Although I can feel some of the warmth and humanity in this room, it's original intent may become skewed from the time the original intent of that warmth leaves the brain (amygdala?) to the time it comes out the fingers.3)&4) - Many on the board are in an almost seemingly constant flux with their meds. Ordering from a mail-order house (ususally in large quantities to make it cost effective) would lead to a lot of left over meds and thus much waste. Only the drug companies (and the mail-order houses) would like this. Someone would have to be very stable on medication to use mail-order pharmacies.
5) Blister packing - Damn, I gave them another idea, but as above, people on many medications tend to change medications more frequently than those taking less (I can't prove this).
6) Med reviews - yes, I agree not many community pharmacies will routinely do them, even for the most unstable of patients. But, as there are psychiatrists that are egocentric (in it for the money), there are pharmacists who see their job only as a way to get a better house (P.S. I am still underpaid! - haha). In every profession there are people who do not put the customer first.
7) The telephone (or the computer screen - even with video - lacks the warmth of a face-to-face encounter.
In general, mail-order pharmacies make many pharmacist-owners worried, especially in small town. The large chains, with there "no dispensing fee" policies also make the small independent nervous. I guess it's a dog-eat-dog world out there. This is why I'd rather stick to the business of educating people, rather than owning a store and possibly retiring more comfortably (I'd like to pay off my mortgage faster, but I guess I'll just have to wait).Good points Dr.B. I believe mail-order pharmacy will pick up once we are entrenched in using the computer for everything (Amazon.drugs.com - sigh!). - Cam W,
poster:Cam W.
thread:26008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26099.html