RE: Healthcare At The Drugstore
I am currently working at an outpatient pharmacy in a hospital which is really only open for employees. The hospital uses nurse practitioners, one of which I would have more faith in than some MD's, as their occupational health professionals. This saves the hospital tons of money. It also has increased the pharmacy business as they are writing, not only for acute care, but are taking over as primary providers. Needless to say, pharmacy is very concerned over an NP writing for psych meds and controlling complicated blood pressure/diabetes cases. I know that the AMA is terrified of this becoming any more common of a way to hold down costs.
From my experience, I have little doubt the advance into acute care clinics in pharmacies should increase prescription volume and make these pharmacies more profitable. My concern is for the quality of service provided.