I mentioned recently to one of my physician practice clients that all indications suggest to me that in-office dispensing of drugs by physicians is likely to become a target for increased regulation and enforcement.  It seems like at least once a week we hear in the news about another tragedy involving prescription drug addiction.  In fact, only this week I saw a documentary spotlighting the newest illegal drug epidemic sweeping the northeast: prescription pain pills purchased from doctors in Florida and trafficked up the route 95 corridor for sale on the street.  With a street value of up to $80 per pill, prescription meds may be more profitable and easier to obtain than cocaine.

As an indication that a regulatory correction is just around the corner, a recent New York Times article casts a spotlight on the huge mark-up on prescription drugs that physicians are able get under state workers compensation programs and efforts by state legislators to control the associated costs. (See Insurers Pay Big Markups at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/business/some-physicians-making-millions-selling-drugs.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all).

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