Non-dispensing pharmacies are healthcare facilities that provide pharmacy services without actually giving out medications. Instead of handing you a bottle of pills, these pharmacies focus on helping you understand your medications, checking for problems, and making sure you get the best treatment possible.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about non-dispensing pharmacies, from what they do to how they can help you save money on healthcare costs.
What Makes a Pharmacy “Non-Dispensing”?
The Basic Definition
A non-dispensing pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy that does not store, package, or hand out medications to patients. These innovative pharmacy constructs do not hold inventory or dispense medications but instead focus on streamlining the patient access journey by serving as a bridge between the HCP and the dispensing pharmacy to benefit patients, HCPs, and manufacturers.
Key Differences from Regular Pharmacies
Regular pharmacies you visit at your local store or grocery market do three main things:
- Store medications in their building
- Count out your pills and put them in bottles
- Give you the medication directly
Non-dispensing pharmacies skip these steps. They focus on the “thinking” part of pharmacy work instead of the “product” part.
How They Actually Work
When you need a medication, here’s what happens with a non-dispensing pharmacy:
- Your doctor sends your prescription to the non-dispensing pharmacy
- The pharmacy team reviews your insurance and medical history
- They handle paperwork like prior authorizations and copay programs
- They send your prescription to a regular pharmacy that actually gives you the medication
- They follow up to make sure everything worked well
Types of Non-Dispensing Pharmacies
Clinical Consultation Pharmacies
These pharmacies focus on medication therapy management (MTM). MTM is a person-to-person consultation between the pharmacist and the patient. The pharmacist spends dedicated time reviewing the information provided by the patient and provides medication education while addressing other concerns as needed.
What they do:
- Review all your medications for safety problems
- Teach you how to take your medications correctly
- Help you understand side effects
- Work with your doctor to fix medication problems
Specialty Access Pharmacies
Upon receiving the prescription, a non-dispensing pharmacy processes benefit verifications, prior authorizations, copay programs, and any other pre-fulfillment needs before transferring it to a dispensing pharmacy for adjudication and fulfillment.
What they specialize in:
- Helping patients get expensive specialty medications
- Handling complex insurance paperwork
- Finding patient assistance programs
- Coordinating with multiple healthcare providers
Primary Care Integrated Pharmacies
Embedding a non-dispensing pharmacist in primary care practice enables collaboration, probably enhancing patient care.
How they work:
- Pharmacists work directly in doctor’s offices
- They see patients during regular doctor visits
- They help doctors make better medication choices
- They provide immediate medication counseling
Telepharmacy Services
These pharmacies provide services over the phone or video calls. Video-based consultation, or telehealth, is a middle ground between the face-to-face model and the telephonic model of MTM appointments.
Services include:
- Medication reviews over video calls
- Phone consultations about drug interactions
- Remote monitoring of medication adherence
- Virtual education sessions
Services Provided by Non-Dispensing Pharmacies
Medication Therapy Management (MTM)
MTM is the most common service offered by non-dispensing pharmacies. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, MTM services evolved in the 1990s as a means for pharmacists and other providers to assist physicians and patients in managing clinical, service, and cost outcomes of drug therapy.
Core MTM services include:
- Medication Therapy Reviews: A complete look at all your medications
- Personal Medication Records: An up-to-date list of everything you take
- Medication Action Plans: Simple steps to take your medications safely
- Problem-solving: Finding and fixing medication-related issues
- Follow-up care: Regular check-ins to ensure medications are working
Insurance and Access Support
Many non-dispensing pharmacies specialize in helping patients navigate insurance challenges:
- Prior authorization assistance: Handling paperwork to get insurance approval
- Copay program enrollment: Finding programs to reduce your out-of-pocket costs
- Insurance verification: Making sure your medications are covered
- Appeals support: Helping if insurance denies coverage
Patient Education and Counseling
Research published in BMC Health Services Research shows that pharmacist‐provided services targeting patients resulted in a small improvement of clinical outcomes such as blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels and asthma outcomes.
Education services include:
- How to take medications correctly
- What side effects to watch for
- When to call your doctor
- How to store medications safely
- Understanding drug interactions
Healthcare Provider Consultation
Non-dispensing pharmacies also work directly with doctors and nurses:
- Medication recommendations: Suggesting better treatment options
- Drug interaction alerts: Warning about dangerous combinations
- Dosing guidance: Helping with proper medication amounts
- Therapy monitoring: Tracking how well medications work
Who Needs Non-Dispensing Pharmacy Services?
Patients with Multiple Medications
MTM is highly effective for patients with multiple chronic conditions, complex medication therapies, high prescription costs, and multiple prescribers.
If you take five or more medications regularly, you might benefit from MTM services. The more medications you take, the higher your risk of:
- Drug interactions
- Side effects
- Taking medications incorrectly
- Wasting money on unnecessary drugs
People with Chronic Conditions
Patients with long-term health problems like diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure often need ongoing medication management. Non-dispensing pharmacies help ensure these patients:
- Take medications as prescribed
- Monitor for side effects
- Adjust dosages when needed
- Coordinate care between multiple doctors
Patients Taking Expensive Specialty Medications
If you need costly medications for conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, non-dispensing pharmacies can help:
- Navigate insurance requirements
- Find patient assistance programs
- Ensure proper medication handling
- Coordinate with specialty pharmacies
Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries
According to Medicare.gov, plans with Medicare drug coverage must offer Medication Therapy Management services to help people who meet certain requirements or are in a drug management program.
Many Medicare Part D plans are required to offer MTM services at no cost to eligible patients.
Benefits of Non-Dispensing Pharmacies
Improved Patient Outcomes
Pharmacists have a major role in lowering costs by critically reviewing the pharmacotherapy of multimorbid elderly patients. The reduction of inappropriately prescribed medicines not only produces savings in the cost of each individual medicine but also reduces the risk of adverse drug events.
Health improvements include:
- Better blood pressure control
- Improved diabetes management
- Fewer medication-related side effects
- Reduced risk of dangerous drug interactions
Cost Savings for Patients and Healthcare Systems
A study published in Wolters Kluwer Health found that the average cost savings was approximately $400 per inpatient admission, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 6.03:1.
Financial benefits include:
- Reduced hospital admissions
- Fewer emergency room visits
- Lower medication costs through generic alternatives
- Elimination of unnecessary medications
Better Medication Adherence
Research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information demonstrates that health service utilisation, such as rate of hospitalisation and general practice and emergency room visits, was also found to be reduced by the patient targeted pharmacist‐provided services.
When patients understand their medications better, they’re more likely to:
- Take them as prescribed
- Continue treatment long-term
- Report problems early
- Avoid missing doses
Enhanced Healthcare Coordination
Non-dispensing pharmacies help bridge gaps between different healthcare providers:
- Better communication between doctors and pharmacists
- Coordinated care for complex patients
- Reduced duplication of services
- Improved patient safety
Licensing and Regulatory Requirements
State-Level Requirements
A Non-Dispensing Drug Outlet Permit is required for any facility located in South Carolina that administers and/or stores legend drugs.
Each state has different rules for non-dispensing pharmacies. Common requirements include:
- Pharmacy license or special permit
- Licensed pharmacist oversight
- Compliance with state pharmacy laws
- Regular inspections
Federal Regulations
Non-dispensing pharmacies must follow federal rules including:
- HIPAA privacy requirements
- DEA regulations for controlled substances
- FDA guidelines for pharmacy practice
- Medicare and Medicaid compliance rules
Professional Standards
May be furnished by pharmacists or other qualified providers and may distinguish between services in ambulatory and institutional settings.
Non-dispensing pharmacies must meet professional standards for:
- Pharmacist education and training
- Quality assurance programs
- Documentation requirements
- Patient safety protocols
Common Challenges and Solutions
Patient Awareness
Many patients don’t know about non-dispensing pharmacy services. Solutions include:
- Better education from healthcare providers
- Marketing by insurance companies
- Word-of-mouth recommendations
- Integration with existing healthcare services
Insurance Coverage
Not all insurance plans cover non-dispensing pharmacy services. However:
- Medicare Part D plans must offer MTM services
- Many commercial plans are adding coverage
- Some services may be free through patient assistance programs
- Employers are increasingly offering these benefits
Finding Qualified Providers
The non-dispensing entrepreneurial pharmacist sees a need for a service and then works relentlessly to bring it to patients.
To find good non-dispensing pharmacy services:
- Ask your doctor for referrals
- Check with your insurance company
- Look for certified MTM providers
- Consider telepharmacy options if local services aren’t available
Cost Considerations
What Services Typically Cost
Over the 7-year period from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2006, the mean pharmacy reimbursement was $8.44 per MTM service.
Costs vary widely depending on:
- Type of service provided
- Length of consultation
- Complexity of medication regimen
- Geographic location
- Insurance coverage
Insurance Coverage Options
Medicare Coverage:
- MTM services are required for eligible Part D beneficiaries
- No cost to patients who qualify
- Services include comprehensive medication reviews
Commercial Insurance:
- Coverage varies by plan
- May require copayments
- Some employers offer as a benefit
Out-of-Pocket Costs:
- Typically range from $50-200 per consultation
- May be worth the cost for complex medication regimens
- Can save money through reduced hospitalizations and better medication management
How to Access Non-Dispensing Pharmacy Services
Through Your Doctor
Many primary care practices now include non-dispensing pharmacists on their teams. During your regular doctor visits, ask if they have:
- A pharmacist on staff
- Medication therapy management programs
- Partnerships with non-dispensing pharmacies
Through Your Insurance Plan
Medicare members, you’re taking multiple medicines prescribed by more than 1 healthcare provider.
Contact your insurance company to find out:
- Which MTM services are covered
- How to enroll in available programs
- Which providers are in your network
- What costs you might have
Through Specialized MTM Companies
Several companies specialize in providing non-dispensing pharmacy services:
- Telepharmacy services
- Comprehensive medication reviews
- Specialty medication support
- Chronic disease management programs
Through Your Local Pharmacy
Some traditional pharmacies also offer non-dispensing services:
- Medication counseling programs
- Comprehensive medication reviews
- Chronic disease management
- Insurance assistance programs
The Future of Non-Dispensing Pharmacies
Technology Integration
New technologies are making non-dispensing pharmacy services more accessible:
- Telehealth platforms for remote consultations
- Mobile apps for medication management
- Electronic health record integration
- Artificial intelligence for drug interaction checking
Expanding Scope of Practice
The role of pharmacists has expanded beyond dispensing and packaging over the past two decades, and now includes ensuring rational use of drugs, improving clinical outcomes and promoting health status.
Non-dispensing pharmacies are expanding to offer:
- Comprehensive health assessments
- Chronic disease management
- Preventive care services
- Population health management
Healthcare Integration
More healthcare systems are recognizing the value of non-dispensing pharmacy services:
- Integration with primary care practices
- Collaboration with specialists
- Coordination with home healthcare
- Partnership with health insurance companies
Final Thoughts
Non-dispensing pharmacies represent an important evolution in healthcare delivery. By focusing on medication management, patient education, and healthcare coordination rather than just dispensing pills, these pharmacies help improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
Whether you’re managing multiple chronic conditions, taking expensive specialty medications, or simply want to ensure you’re getting the most from your medications, non-dispensing pharmacy services can be a valuable part of your healthcare team.
If you’re interested in learning more about comprehensive medication management, consider speaking with your doctor about available options or exploring services at your local pharmacy. At Green Leaf Pharmacy, we’re committed to helping you get the best possible outcomes from your medications through personalized care and expert guidance.
For more information about medication management and pharmacy services, visit our compounding pharmacy page or learn about our medication counseling services.