advice welcomed

RE: advice welcomed

Sal the 1st — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 18:55:30 GMT

yes we always do a dispensing label for specials so there is never any doubting who they are for - its just that things don't always get collected and they are there too long for us to be able to return them (and this is because they haven't been paid for up front which always used to be our policy and nobody has ever said to me that this has changed, it just seems for some reason there are members of staff just not sticking to it). The length of time we have to return stock to our wholesaler has also recently changed which doesn't help as it has been halved. I have been chasing one client to come and collect their dispensed meds now for nearly 6 weeks. Perhaps the invoice landing on his doormat tomorrow my spur him on to returning one of the many calls I have made but I wont hold my breath.

RE: advice welcomed

steph fursland — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 09:23:40 GMT

When we order in something 'special' (ie not stocked) then we print a dispensing label and as soon as the order comes in, the label is put on, so none of the special orders get put on shelves and forgotten about.

Depending on your practice management system it might be possible to put a 'pop up note' whenever the special order is prescribed, saying 'must be paid in advance/please advise client of dispensing fee' or similar?

In terms of 'brand snobbery' - I try to explain that it is the same thing (I use the example of neurofen vs supermarket ibuprofen - you're paying for the marketing and advertising, not what is in the box) but some people will not be told, and to be honest have found it easier just to pander to them...

RE: advice welcomed

fairy — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 19:42:32 GMT

If I am grasping the point you make, would it be worth mentioning that if they purchase a whole box, they would not have to pay for a dispensing fee every two weeks and if they only wanted two weeks worth at home at a time, you could keep the remaining tablets that had been paid for at the surgery with a note attached to say that they had paid for them. Therefore, you are being extremely helpful and saving them money on the dispensing fee....??

RE: advice welcomed

Alison Clare Hickman — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 14:24:16 GMT

A familiar tale, Sal the 1st when, in my experience, we try to be too accommodating for our clients. I agree with apache with a one rule type protocol...

I know it to be true that your vet needs to make a stand on this. "We strive to pet your pet AND your pocket. This (product) is exactly the same as the (product), just under a different name. Well, there is a difference actually... It's cheaper!".

Leadership from the top. The one rule protocol for all. Steer the client and don't pander to them so much, if at all. #sanityforSal

RE: advice welcomed

apache — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 13:41:30 GMT

You either take the brand we have on the shelf OR we buy in a box of what you want and you pay upfront. If it's a larger pack size that we would supply at one time (max 2 months supply) then we charge a small dispensing fee each time they come in (£6.00).

No exceptions.