Comments on: Are retail clinics living up to expectations? http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/are-retail-clinics-living-up-to.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/are-retail-clinics-living-up-to.html#comment-88743 Anonymous Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:42:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/are-retail-clinics-living-up-to-expectations.html#comment-88743 I would much rather have a doctor-patient relationship built on trust. But reality is that primary care doctors don't have time to provide that kind of care. My primary doc doesn't want anything to do with me on an urgent basis. I use the retail clinics to get care when I need it. I know the NP's better than my PCP. I would much rather have a doctor-patient relationship built on trust. But reality is that primary care doctors don’t have time to provide that kind of care. My primary doc doesn’t want anything to do with me on an urgent basis. I use the retail clinics to get care when I need it. I know the NP’s better than my PCP.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/are-retail-clinics-living-up-to.html#comment-88736 Anonymous Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:48:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/are-retail-clinics-living-up-to-expectations.html#comment-88736 I think it is a conflict of intertes to allow a clinic to reside within a pharmacy. I mean you go there, get a diagnosis and get your Rx filled at the same place?<br/>As a pediatrician, a few of my patients went to these clinics, told they had an ear infection and what drug do they get prescribed? Well it wasn't Amoxicillin, that's for sure. Nope, it was a more expensive drug that actually makes the pharmacy some money.<br/>I think it is utterly ridiculous that we allow these clinics to exist. And for some reason the american public is ok with this. yet, they aren't OK with drug reps talking with physicians. Pretty weird...but for some reason, the AMA has decided that drug companies can't give out pens anymore to physicians...I guess because we physicians are too easily persuaded...meaning if we have a pen that says linezolid on it...we will prescribe it even when it isn't indicated. GIVE ME A BREAK. Yet, we allow mid-level providers to provide care in retail pharmacy clinics. WHAT A DISGRACE. I think it is a conflict of intertes to allow a clinic to reside within a pharmacy. I mean you go there, get a diagnosis and get your Rx filled at the same place?
As a pediatrician, a few of my patients went to these clinics, told they had an ear infection and what drug do they get prescribed? Well it wasn’t Amoxicillin, that’s for sure. Nope, it was a more expensive drug that actually makes the pharmacy some money.
I think it is utterly ridiculous that we allow these clinics to exist. And for some reason the american public is ok with this. yet, they aren’t OK with drug reps talking with physicians. Pretty weird…but for some reason, the AMA has decided that drug companies can’t give out pens anymore to physicians…I guess because we physicians are too easily persuaded…meaning if we have a pen that says linezolid on it…we will prescribe it even when it isn’t indicated. GIVE ME A BREAK. Yet, we allow mid-level providers to provide care in retail pharmacy clinics. WHAT A DISGRACE.

]]> By: Van Santoshttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/are-retail-clinics-living-up-to.html#comment-88724 Van Santos Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:47:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/are-retail-clinics-living-up-to-expectations.html#comment-88724 I think there a number of things to look at when it comes to retail clinics.<br/><br/>1) Walmart, CVS (et al) have a critical mass the little guy can never achieve, thereby providing no major overhead cost. The stores already own the retail space, so the major costs are salary and insurance. <br/><br/>That alone will work in favor of profit<br/><br/>2) The retail approach ties right into the Pharmacy. Need something filled, just walk to the counter on the other side of the aisle. Again, this works rather effectively when it comes to making a profit - you have a captive audience.<br/><br/>3) The health care industry is driving toward a retail mentality (it's simply a service, let's find the best price). As such, retail providers have the potential to provide better pricing for the consumer.<br/><br/>Best,<br/>Van<br/><a HREF="http://vansantos.com" REL="nofollow">http://vansantos.com</a> I think there a number of things to look at when it comes to retail clinics.

1) Walmart, CVS (et al) have a critical mass the little guy can never achieve, thereby providing no major overhead cost. The stores already own the retail space, so the major costs are salary and insurance.

That alone will work in favor of profit

2) The retail approach ties right into the Pharmacy. Need something filled, just walk to the counter on the other side of the aisle. Again, this works rather effectively when it comes to making a profit – you have a captive audience.

3) The health care industry is driving toward a retail mentality (it’s simply a service, let’s find the best price). As such, retail providers have the potential to provide better pricing for the consumer.

Best,
Van
http://vansantos.com

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