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Aspen medical office drops new software program

Aspen Times writer

By Eben HarrellAspen Times Staff WriterThe Aspen branch of the Alpine Medical Group has decided to abandon a medicine dispensing program in an effort to accommodate the concerns of local pharmacists.The Alpine Medical Group, which has branches in Aspen and Basalt, recently unveiled a computer software system that allows physicians to dispense medication to patients without sending them to a pharmacy, a move that angered local pharmacists who said the system would hurt their business.Dr. David Borchers, who runs the Aspen branch, said concerns raised by local pharmacists persuaded him to abandon the program. “Primarily I think Rodney Diffendaffer [owner of Tom’s Pharmacy in Aspen] is a good guy and I know he was concerned about my encroaching on his livelihood, which I think is a reasonable concern,” Borchers said. “I’m going to concentrate on performing medicine and leave drug dispensing to the pharmacists.”Diffendaffer said he was happy with Borchers’ decision and took it as an indication of a healthy relationship between physicians and pharmacists in town.”I talked to the big man [Borchers] last week and we worked it all out,” Diffendaffer said. “He’s a good man and a good doctor so his decision didn’t surprise me.”The Basalt branch of the Alpine Medical Group, headed by Dr. Glen Kotz, will continue with the program despite the concern of Basalt pharmacist Tad Anderson, said spokeswoman Laura Pray last week. She said the implementation of the computer program is one phase in a practicewide improvement project that will improve patient convenience and safety.Eben Harrell’s e-mail is eharrell@aspentimes.com