Practicing Medical Skills in a Small Clinic-Chapter 46: Strangled by the Supply Chain

Don’t think that running a small clinic is easy; just a simple drug supervision certificate or drug authority review can make the small clinic owner question life.

After preparing the money for the supplies, Li Jingsheng called the salesperson from the pharmaceutical company.

The earliest the goods can arrive is the day after tomorrow.

We should be able to hold on for another day tomorrow.

"Hello, whom are you looking for?"

A young man’s voice came from the other side.

Li Jingsheng’s forehead immediately darkened with frustration, damn it, their service is terrible, not treating people like people! We even signed a cooperation agreement, but they didn’t even save his phone number.

"Hello, President Tian, this is Li Jingsheng from Sunshine Clinic!"

"Oh, hello Boss Li! What’s the matter?"

It was clear that the President Tian on the other end of the line had an arrogant attitude.

What kind of President Tian is he, just an ordinary salesperson from the pharmaceutical company. Li Jingsheng calling him President Tian is a form of respect.

In society, especially in business dealings, people usually flatter each other.

However, there is a difference between the weaker party and the dominant party.

Right now, Li Jingsheng is the weaker party. Clearly, he is patronizing their business, purchasing from the pharmaceutical company, yet it feels like he’s begging them to sell goods to him.

This feeling makes him very aggrieved, but the reality of society, strength determines everything.

If his clinic’s business was booming, buying goods from the pharmaceutical company every two days, it wouldn’t be this surnamed male salesperson receiving him, but the business manager contacting him personally.

And they would treat him like a VIP, providing comprehensive drug supply services.

On holidays, they might even send gifts, maintaining close contact to avoid losing him as a valuable client.

"I want to get some supplies from you!"

Li Jingsheng got straight to the point.

Listening to the tone of the other party, if he didn’t get to the point, they might hang up on him at any moment.

"Oh, you want supplies, sure, what do you need? Make a list and send it to me after I start work tomorrow, then I’ll tell you how much the advance payment is, and you just need to transfer the money to the company’s account."

Upon hearing that Li Jingsheng was calling to get supplies, President Tian’s tone warmed slightly.

But he still maintained that arrogant tone, implying buy if you want, or leave it.

Because he knows very well that Li Jingsheng can only get supplies from him.

"President Tian, I need it urgently, I’ll send you the list today, could you work a little overtime to help me out, please?"

Li Jingsheng said humbly.

"Boss Li, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I’ve already clocked out now. Please contact me again after 8:30 tomorrow!"

After speaking, the other end of the phone directly hung up.

The busy tone came through.

"Damn!"

Li Jingsheng cursed in anger.

But one has to bow when under others’ roofs.

No matter how bad the other party’s attitude was, he still had to swallow his anger and call back with a smile, speak softly, and ask for help.

Because if the clinic’s business continues to boom tomorrow, his stock can only last until tomorrow.

The day after tomorrow, many drugs will be out of stock.

The profit margin on health products is too tempting; selling over ten thousand yuan, profiting six thousand yuan, and it’s only two months until the next year’s rent is due.

Earning six thousand yuan a day is something Li Jingsheng cannot refuse.

Moreover, this wave of business might not last long.

After all, health products are not a necessity, many people buy two boxes to take home, and might not repurchase for one or two years after using them.

He must seize this opportunity to earn more, which would lessen the pressure of gathering rent.

After taking a couple of deep breaths, trying to adjust his emotions, he redialed President Tian’s number.

"I already told you, send me the purchase list after 8:30 tomorrow, didn’t I?"

President Tian said with extreme impatience after picking up the call.

"President Tian, I really need the supplies urgently, could you please help out? I’ll treat you to dinner afterward."

Li Jingsheng pleaded.

"Boss Li, it’s really not that I’m unwilling to help, but I’ve officially clocked out now. And to be honest, your purchase volume is pitifully small, hard to justify any special treatment."

President Tian bluntly refused his request.

The fact is that Li Jingsheng’s purchase volume is too small, and he only buys goods once every one or two months, for a large pharmaceutical company, such ’mosquito meat’ is insignificant.

"Please, could you make an exception! We’ve been working together for so long, and I’ve never asked for this kind of favor before..."

"Enough, enough. Although you’ve indeed been signed with our company for quite a while, the number of purchases can be counted on one hand. Buddy, I really can’t help with this, if you need it urgently, you can arrange for supplies a few days in advance next time. I’ve got things to do, let’s end it here!"

Then, President Tian again unceremoniously hung up the phone.

Before the call ended, Li Jingsheng vaguely heard a woman’s voice from the other side.

"Brother Tian, hurry and help me take a look at this report! It’s been returned by finance three times already..."

The woman asking President Tian to check the report was likely his colleague.

Indicating that President Tian likely hadn’t clocked out and was still in the company.

No matter how much Li Jingsheng endured humiliation, he couldn’t make a third call.

Even if he did, aside from provoking harsher words, there would be no result.

This bastard, clearly still in the company, would rather spend time wooing women than assist a client by submitting a simple purchase requisition, truly detestable.

"Damn it, one day I’ll switch suppliers."

Li Jingsheng panted heavily in anger.

He went to the back to wash his face with cold water to calm down.

He organized the purchase list, preparing to call President Tian again at 8:30 the next morning.

One shouldn’t put all their eggs in one basket.

Given this pharmaceutical company’s arrogance, he must find other supply channels.

"Finding an official pharmaceutical group procurement model would be better, but for my small clinic, it’s hard to get an ’admission ticket’. If I had acquaintances to put in a word, it would be much easier."

Li Jingsheng’s expression was uncertain.

Quietly thinking of a solution.

A man must learn to plan thoroughly before taking action. The deeper your planning and deliberation, the easier it is to rise above in this cruel world.

This humiliation was also a driving force for Li Jingsheng.

It can help him become wiser, learn patience, and actively explore new channels for acquiring medicine.

Looking at it now, restocking tomorrow seems almost impossible.

Find another pharmacy to adjust the stock?

He doesn’t know anyone, and people certainly won’t pay attention to him.

The procedural issues among them are also very troublesome.

It even faces legal risks.

Two-ticket purchasing of medicine makes regulatory oversight difficult.

Moreover, the purchase price is too expensive, which will surely severely compress profits.

Official group purchasing has a professional procurement team; their product quality is assured, prices are low, and almost all aspects of auditing are waived. Plus, after growing big enough, you can even obtain designated medical insurance qualifications, but getting the official admission ticket is too challenging.

Not to mention a newly opened small clinic like Li Jingsheng’s, even Boss Zhao’s clinic, which has been open for twenty years, hasn’t obtained the admission ticket yet.

Li Jingsheng has seen the medicines inside Boss Zhao’s clinic.

Basically the same as his, all supplied by the largest local pharmaceutical company.

But given the current strength of Quick Recovery Clinic, getting an official group purchasing admission ticket shouldn’t be too difficult.

The most challenging aspect is small clinics like Li Jingsheng’s, just getting started, poor business, and the auditing in all aspects will be hard to pass.

Getting approved in one or two years would be considered good.

By that time, his small clinic might have already shut down, while the approval remains in progress.

He sighed heavily; in this era where connections matter, parents and relatives have no background, so he can only rely on himself.

Being an adult is really difficult!

...

Early the next morning when the clinic opened, Ms. Ou, who suffered from pollen allergy leading to bronchitis and tracheitis, was already waiting outside.

Her first words upon meeting were, "Dr. Li, after getting the injection here yesterday, the effect was excellent. Please take another look at me, whether it’s an injection or medication, I’ll follow your advice."

It’s apparent that Ms. Ou is very satisfied with the treatment’s effect.

She now deeply trusts Sunshine Clinic and believes in Li Jingsheng’s character and medical skills.

Starting the day with a positive review delighted Li Jingsheng.

Yesterday, he couldn’t sleep half the night because of the medicine procurement issue.

You don’t understand a boss’s pressure until you become one.

The clinic faces the risk of running out of medicine, and failing to replenish stock in time could lead to losing customers, giving a poor impression of being weak in capability.

And the daily profit of five to six thousand yuan would just slip away.

All these convert into tangible pressure that overwhelms Li Jingsheng.

At this moment, seeing the patient he treated recover significantly, his distress is alleviated, and his mood brightens.

"Haha, no wonder you look so much better today! Please, come inside, and I’ll give you a follow-up checkup."

Li Jingsheng smiled, inviting the patient inside.

Receiving a good review from one patient can increase by 10 points in life value.

He glanced at it, and it actually increased by 11 points.

He clearly checked last night, it was 92, but now it’s increased to 103.

His level experience is as a junior inpatient physician 369.7/500.

The growth is slow.

Yesterday afternoon, he treated several patients, and the total experience points only increased by 1.2.

Treating ordinary patients results in extremely slow experience growth.

Life value increased by 11 points, where did the extra 1 point come from?

It’s certain that getting a positive review from patients only adds 10 points to life value.

Li Jingsheng couldn’t help but think of the lady working as a nanny.

Could it be that the lady’s cold has already healed, hence increased by 1 point?

It’s very likely that this is the case.

"Yesterday, when you wanted to stop the injection and medication, I advised you not to worry! Our boss is a doctor from a big hospital; he later resigned to start his own venture and opened this clinic. His medical skills and ethics are recognized by many patients!"

Tang Ping, standing nearby, smiled and assisted in boosting Li Jingsheng’s image in the patient’s mind.

Today she’s wearing a cream-colored slit cheongsam, with her hair neatly twisted into a bun, complimented with snow-like skin, making Li Jingsheng’s eyes brighten involuntarily.

Recruiting a capable and beautiful female nurse is genuinely nice.

Everywhere he looks, it’s a view.

It’s said that men who frequently admire beautiful women can not only slow down aging but also boost immunity and increase lifespan.

He guided Ms. Ou to the consultation desk to measure blood pressure, body temperature, and other basic vital signs.

Her temperature has returned to 36.4 degrees, indicating the fever has subsided.

This was within Li Jingsheng’s expectations.

He listened to her heart and lung sounds; the heart sounds were normal, and the lung sounds showed significant improvement.

With a foundation of trust established, she was very open during today’s examination of heart and lung sounds. She allowed Li Jingsheng to proceed freely, her expression always calm and composed.

In clinical diagnosis and treatment, establishing mutual trust between doctor and patient is very important.

"I estimate another two days of IV drip should suffice. The disease has been significantly controlled, and there’s substantial improvement, but you must remain cautious. Avoid spicy foods, smoking, and drinking alcohol during these days."

Li Jingsheng completed the diagnosis and prescribed medication.

Then handed it to Tang Ping, who changed into a nurse’s uniform, for IV infusion.

Charging 180 yuan, which is quite affordable.

Gradually, sparse customers came in to buy health products or small items for treating wounds like band-aids, gauze, and iodine.

The clinic’s business presents an encouraging trend.

Li Jingsheng particularly hopes it can just maintain like this.