Written by: Lise Alschuler, ND

Selling supplements to patients carries an inherent conflict-of-interest which can interfere with patients' trust of your recommendations. The best way to address this is head on - be transparent and honest. Acknowledge to your patients that your clinic does make a profit on the sale of nutritional supplements. Explain why your practice stocks supplements (quality, uniqueness of formulations, convenience to patients, etc.) and identify alternative options to obtain supplements, such as independent pharmacies. In the end, most patients are happy to see the profit from their dietary supplement purchases go to you and your clinic - especially if you have made this a choice for them and have been entirely transparent about the finances.

Also, explore virtual dispensary options. Patients, like all of us, are used to making purchases online.

There are excellent virtual dispensary options available now that allow me to create nutritional supplement 'prescriptions' for patients; some of which offer the ability to set commissions. Patients then set up their own affiliated account and can easily order my recommended items. The items are shipped directly to them. It is easy, fast, secure and convenient. And, importantly, patients are more likely to re-order from the same place.