Medication dispensing in pediatric office practice. Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Abstract

The changing practice of dispensing medication in pediatric offices needs ongoing evaluation to determine the extent to which patients' and practice's needs are being met. Research should assess the extent to which in-office dispensing enhances patient compliance and patient education or whether it increases or decreases patient medication errors. Pediatricians choosing to dispense medication should monitor such research carefully, review state and federal laws periodically, and evaluate recommendations from professional organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics holds that the practice of medication dispensing is acceptable and appropriate provided that it is legally permissible and that it is structured primarily to serve the best interests of the patient.