Study on pharmacy dispensing fee system in the United States and its implications for China
- VernacularTitle:美国药品调剂服务收费制度研究及其对我国的启示
- Author:
Shiyu LIAO
1
;
Lin WU
1
;
Yongfa CHEN
1
Author Information
1. School of International Pharmaceutical Business，China Pharmaceutical University，Nanjing 211198，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
drug dispensing;
dispensing fees;
value assessment;
charging system;
pharmaceutical services
- From:
China Pharmacy
2026;37(7):842-847
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To draw upon the United States’ experience in charging for drug dispensing services and provide reference for designing China’s fee scheme for such services. METHODS Relevant literature and official websites were reviewed to systematically summarize the evolution of dispensing fees in the U.S.， charging methods and standards across different health insurance plans， and factors influencing fee determination. The key characteristics of the U.S. fee system were summarized. Recommendations for improving China’s related practices were then proposed. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The U.S. dispensing fee system has undergone four stages of conceptual emergence， model exploration， system establishment， and professional development， forming a prescription-based charging model independent of drug prices. Under a unified federal framework， health insurance programs set a differentiated dispensing fee system based on actual costs and factors such as drug category， pharmacy type， prescription volume， and policy objectives， reflecting pharmacists’ professional value and ensuring sustainable service provision. Although China has recognized dispensing fees at the national level， implementation still faces barriers including insufficient value recognition and pressure on medical insurance payment. Drawing on U.S. experience and considering China’s national context， it is recommended to strengthen empirical research on the value assessment of dispensing services to support medical insurance decision-making； standardize the methodology for dispensing cost measurement and clarify the basis for fee setting by incorporating pharmacists’ professional and technical value as well as public interests； explore differentiated charging models at the provincial level with prescriptions as the basic unit， with emphasis on professional expertise and dispensing risks， and continuously strengthen pharmacists’ professional capacity to facilitate the scientific formulation and effective implementation of dispensing service fee policies.
