McLachlan told SEN radio on Thursday the AFL would consider authorising club-funded target tests after the proposal received "broad support" at the drugs summit.
"There is certainly a possibility and broad support for clubs being able to complement the [existing drug testing] program by doing additional testing in partnership with the medical officers, and target-testing players that are identified as being at risk," McLachlan said.
"That's up for discussion and one of the things the working party will be considering."
The working party formed at the summit consists of AFL club doctors, AFLPA representatives and three club chief executives – Collingwood's Gary Pert, Essendon's Ian Robson and Gold Coast's Travis Auld.
McLachlan said there were some concerns that would have to be addressed before clubs were authorised to do their own target testing.
"Some players may feel that they might be unfairly victimised or [clubs] could just focus on one specific player because he had issues that may not be related to suspicions of drug use," McLachlan said.
"So as long as it's done in partnership with the medical officers and done confidentially and done in the right way I don't know there are too many downsides to that."
Under the current illicit drug-testing program, players who record a first or second positive test are subsequently target-tested by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.
However, clubs are not told of first and second 'strikes' recorded by their players, with the existing policy only allowing them to be notified when a player records a third positive test.
Former Hawthorn player Travis Tuck is the only player to have recorded three positive tests, which earned him a 12-match suspension in 2010.
The drug summit was held at Etihad Stadium and attended by all 18 AFL chief executives, AFL Players' Association representatives, doctors, Australian Federal Police drug trade experts and Australian Drug Foundation boss, John Rogerson.
Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
