WCRI Finds Physician Dispensing Makes Up almost Half of Drug Spending

Physician dispensing of medication to workers’ compensation patients continues to grow in Pennsylvania, as does legislative action to curb the practice. According to a study released Monday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, physicians dispensed 29% of workers’ compensation prescriptions and were paid 48% of total workers' compensation drug spending in 2012-13. In 2008-09, physicians dispensed 17% of all prescriptions and physician-dispensed drugs made up 17% of total prescription spending. The WCRI study also determined that “prices paid to physician-dispe...