Beyond the Clinic: How Portable Tech is Expanding Methadone Access

In this episode of the CHIME Opioid Action Center podcast, moderator Ed Kopetsky sits down with Dr. Tom Mercolino and Jim McLean from Verinetics to discuss their DispenSecur™ portable methadone dispensing system. Designed to meet patients wherever they are, this “clinic in a box” empowers individuals with Opioid Use Disorder to access treatment securely and privately, outside traditional clinic walls. Learn how this innovative technology is breaking down barriers, supporting providers, and paving the way for more holistic and accessible addiction care.

What You’ll Learn:

• How portable medication dispensing systems like DispenSecur™ are expanding access to methadone treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.

• The technology and security features behind the “clinic in a box” solution that balances patient privacy with provider confidence.

• The impact of stigma on OUD treatment and how holistic, tech-driven approaches can improve patient outcomes.

• Challenges and successes in piloting new treatment technologies, and how patient feedback is shaping commercial adoption.

• Opportunities and barriers to integrating portable medication technology with broader healthcare IT and clinical workflows.

• Lessons learned from real-world implementation—and ideas for expanding this model to other medications and patient populations.

  
  

MODERATOR: Ed Kopetsky, Founder and Co-Chair, CHIME Opioid Task Force

Ed Kopetsky, former Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Stanford Children’s Health, is an accomplished healthcare executive with expertise in integrated healthcare systems, information technology, operations and cost improvement, digital transformation and consulting. Following a family tragedy, in 2018 Ed co-founded and has co-chaired the CHIME Opioid Task Force helping healthcare organizations confront the national opioid crisis.

GUEST: Dr. Tom Mercolino, PhD, Founder and Executive Chairman, Verinetics, Inc.

With more than 25 years of experience as a senior manager in Fortune 100 R&D groups, Dr. Mercolino has taken technology commercialization expertise to the next level at Verinetics. His passion for supporting individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) has been a major driver behind the development of DispenSecur™™ and its successful commercialization.

GUEST: Jim McLean, MBA, Chief Technology Officer, Verinetics, Inc.

Mr. McLean has over 30 years in senior management roles with Fortune 500 and startup organizations, where his particular focus has been the design and successful implementation of creative technology solutions for complex operational challenges. His experience as a team builder in information systems/technology, engineering, sales, and professional services is key to the commercial success of the DispenSecur™™ platform.