The American Medical Association has called for investigations into potential conflicts of interest posed by joint ventures between store-based health clinics and pharmacy chains, which one expert said could impact workers' compensation system costs.

The AMA effort has been driven by retailers who said that store-based health clinics help drive additional store traffic, which can increase sales of lucrative prescription drugs and other non-health related products.

Joseph Paduda, president of PharmaComp, said such clinics can either increase or decrease workers' compensation pharmacy costs.

“If the store market is part of the Pharmacy Benefits Manager servicing the claimant, the result will likely be reduced expenses,” he said.

On the other hand, if the store is not, costs could increase.

“The claimant will be more likely to get the script filled there, and the bill will be sent to a third-party biller or paid in cash by the claimant, who will then send in a paper bill,” Mr. Paduda said.

AMA board member Dr. Peter Carmel said there are clear incentives for retailers to participate in the implementation and operation of store-based health clinics. “The nation's physicians want the AMA to ensure these incentives do not compromise the basic obligation of store-based health clinics to provide patients with quality care.”

Special Reports /

AMA Seeks Probe Of Clinic Pharmacy Links

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