Posts Tagged ‘QuikMeds’

Another Report On QuiqMeds

08/06/2008 , 11:48 AM by Alex Sicre

I feel like I am becoming a cheerleader or spokesperson for QuiqMeds, without even seeing it in action. In any case, I have nothing to do with the company, but I think it is a neat technology /device that allows for patients and caregivers to get their medications at the doctor’s office and eliminate that step of going to the pharmacy.

As I can attest second hand, when my wife takes our kids to the pediatrician and gets a script, she doesn’t go directly the pharmacy unless it is on her way home (which it is not). Even if she leaves the kids with the nanny and gets her own script from her MD, chances are it will sit in the car, her purse or drawer for at least two or three days.

With QuikMeds, the doctor can dispense medications from a machine with a few touches of a screen. I have some problems with this, but I assume that he company has already taken security, and compliance measures into account. My worries being the “freshness” of the medications, the waste of the medications not filled, the accuracy, etc… All the issues that arise without the human touch of a pharmacist – plus the trust that the medication is the proper medication.

Can I trust that the person who checked the machine and loaded the meds is not a junkie or thief who replaced all the narcotics with OTC generic headache pills? Maybe they do not even dispense these types of meds? That being said, I will check into the company and try to get a demonstration.

Here is a link to a short article and the video of a story that ran last week on CBS 3.

QuikMeds Dispensing in Doctor’s Offices

03/13/2008 , 9:45 AM by Alex Sicre

I have always supported drug dispersal at the MD’s office, considering 30% of prescriptions never get filled. My only concern (and why pharmacists are needed) is that medication errors can easily occur since their is no human interaction. Sure the nurse checks to make sure that it is the correct drug and dosage, but how can he/she be sure the label matches what is inside of the bottle?

Imagine seeing your doctor and getting a prescription filled all in one shot.

Now, a new in-office vending machine could save patients an extra trip to the drug store.

“It takes us two minutes, three minutes to process it,” said Dr. Madeleine Weiser. “It’s very quick.”

Doctor Weiser says she installed the Quiqmeds system in her office to save patients time and money.

“You’re giving the patient the exact same thing that you would be ordering at a pharmacy,” said Dr. Weiser. “But you’re able to deliver sometimes a larger quantity for a similar price or a better price.”

The dispensing machine holds mostly cost-saving generics.

Instead of writing a prescription on a pad, the doctor logs into the system using a security code and orders the medication on a touch screen.

“I pick what kind of dosage I want to give, whether it’s one teaspoon two times a day or three times a day,” said Dr. Weiser. “So, I have full control over it. There’s no confusion as to what I want.”

While a printer churns out personalized instructions, the machine coughs up the medication.

“When it’s right here and you can answer their questions and it really saves on the phone calls that go back and forth to clarify sometimes medication orders,” said Dr. Weiser.

The prescription is at the front desk by the time the patient checks out.

Some doctors say the Quiqmeds system improves compliance among patients.

Depending on the state, doctors who use the machine make a minimal profit on each prescription.