IS PHYSICIAN DISPENSING ETHICAL?
Yes. Often physicians and others see an inherent conflict of interest in the dispensing of medications for a fee. Those folks are correct. It is, in fact, a conflict. And so, we might add, are the following: scheduling additional office visits; ordering X-rays, blood tests, urine tests, hospital stays or surgery; or any other act in the medical profession for which a physician gets compensated. Conflicts are a basic part of everyday life. Conflicts only become problems when the resolution of the conflict is done improperly. That is the ethical part. To be sure, that professional judgment must be devoid of consideration for any personal economic or emotional benefit to the professional. This requires a deliberate act on the part of the professional and often runs contrary to human nature. In the case of our health care, we have entrusted that ethical responsibility to our physician. We expect our physician to charge for the professional judgment and all services provided. The provision
