FDA may allow OTC sales of prescription drugs

InvalidID · #41 04/30/12, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

Bully for you.

Should everybody be allowed to prescribe their own painkillers, also?

No need to protect people from themselves, right?

People already do prescribe their own pain killers. Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc. are all over the counter. They aren't letting you prescribe your own narcotics here right?

Bearfootfarm · #42 04/30/12, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

Read it again...

“What the government via the FDA has decided to do is just bypass the expensive doctor and to satisfy some safety concerns of letting people just pick out their medications is make sure they have to get counsel by the pharmacists,” Dr. Mintz said. “I believe there is value to using pharmacists, but not at the expense of primary care.”

He's not suggesting he's telling you what the FDA is proposing.

Again, it's all about world view. You want a nanny and I don't.

Not exactly:

There's quite a difference in "make sure they HAVE to", and "might"

How it would work
To ensure safe and appropriate use, special conditions would apply to types of nonprescription products. For example, before getting a medication, you might have to talk with a pharmacist, or need to have a diagnostic test. In other cases, you might have to visit a physician to obtain the original prescription, but not to get refills.

FDA is also considering whether some drugs could be a prescription drug and a nonprescription drug with conditions of safe use.

Various technologies could support this model. Kiosks in pharmacies or questionnaires on the Internet could help consumers properly diagnose a health condition and select a drug product.
Such types of systems could also help consumers decide if the warnings for a drug mean that they should not take a drug or they should not combine it with certain other drugs or foods.
Another scenario for enhancing self-care could involve pharmacists that could help consumers verify their diagnosis, or decide whether the medication is right.
“Pharmacists could also reinforce directions for use,” said Woodcock.

FDA Considers Expanding Definition of Nonprescription Drugs

InvalidID · #43 04/30/12, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Not exactly:

There's quite a difference in "make sure they HAVE to", and "might"

How it would work
To ensure safe and appropriate use, special conditions would apply to types of nonprescription products. For example, before getting a medication, you might have to talk with a pharmacist, or need to have a diagnostic test. In other cases, you might have to visit a physician to obtain the original prescription, but not to get refills.

FDA is also considering whether some drugs could be a prescription drug and a nonprescription drug with conditions of safe use.

Various technologies could support this model. Kiosks in pharmacies or questionnaires on the Internet could help consumers properly diagnose a health condition and select a drug product.
Such types of systems could also help consumers decide if the warnings for a drug mean that they should not take a drug or they should not combine it with certain other drugs or foods.
Another scenario for enhancing self-care could involve pharmacists that could help consumers verify their diagnosis, or decide whether the medication is right.
“Pharmacists could also reinforce directions for use,” said Woodcock.

FDA Considers Expanding Definition of Nonprescription Drugs

Depending on the drug and condition I don't see a problem with any of those models.

Bearfootfarm · #44 04/30/12, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

Has your pharmacist ever called your Dr. for information? Mine has. Think they will still be able to do that? I think they will.

Not if you don't GO to the Dr

VT Chicklit · #45 04/30/12, 10:34 PM

Perscription drugs are not something to be taken lightly. I have taken statins for 8 years for my cholesterol. I have also had blood work done regularly to monitor my liver function (among other things) because of the statins. My liver function tests have been abnormal for a while and my statin intake has been reduced and finally eliminated by my doctor in an attempt to find a ballance between cholesterol and a well functioning liver. I will be seeing a liver specialist on Wednesday to try and find out what dammage, if any, has been done and if there are other issues. I would never have known that my liver function was abnormal if I was self-perscribing my meds. I also take blood pressure pills which may need to be tweeked occasionally and my thyroid medication could kill me if the dose is even just a tad too high. There is a reason why many drugs required a perscription. It seems that sanity has left the FDA. They are thinking that it is ok to self-prescribe perscription meds yet you have to show photo ID and sign your life away to get Advil Cold and Sinus because some druggie can make Crank from it. Crazy.

kasilofhome · #46 04/30/12, 11:51 PM

I would make use of this for my family.

We use only one pharmacy because we reached out, knowing the importance of min. any drug interactions. We have always brought up otc meds to the pharmacy to insure safety so no difference.

As for cost well things I need and want all seem to have a price tag. I could even look into other things such as natural and homopathic items.

I know that I will be very carefull to get it right as it is my life or the life of family.

I have faith in me to make choices. I accept that it will require responcablity and proactive action on my part.

Also I outgrew the need for a nanny. Years ago back in the years my mother roamed the earth there were many drugs that could be gotten over the counter. Yes she is dead now but she was born in 1920 and lived till the end of 2010. Now, our generation is trained to allow others to make the calls as to what our choices are.

kasilofhome · #47 04/30/12, 11:53 PM

Blood test can be done at a person request. I did not know this but there are even mail in tests now on the market and more comming all the time.

InvalidID · #48 05/01/12, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Not if you don't GO to the Dr

If you arent going to the Dr it doesnt make a difference as the Dr. doesnt know your medical history anyway.

Jim Bunton · #49 05/01/12, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

Yes, telling you how long to take a drug for, reactions with other meds and such is EXACTLY what a pharmacist does. Do we have any here on HT who could speak up? I hope so.

Also, if you don't know the difference between pneumonia and an allergy you need more help than a Dr can provide.

I love this plan and have been saying we should be able to get drugs with out a prescription for years. I have to say you are wrong about people that don't know the difference between pneumonia and an allergy. A Dr. can supply just the help they need, and doctors will still be available for that very thing.

This will be ideal for people like me that take medicine to control high blood pressure. Doctor told me I will probably take it the rest of my life yet every 6 months I have to make an appointment for him to have his nurse check my blood pressure he comes in for a minute or two and writes me a new prescription. What a waste of time waiting to see him is.

Jim

Bearfootfarm · #50 05/01/12, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

If you arent going to the Dr it doesnt make a difference as the Dr. doesnt know your medical history anyway.

But you said the Pharmacist could CHECK with the Dr.

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

FDA may allow OTC sales of prescription drugs - General Chat

Has your pharmacist ever called your Dr. for information? Mine has. Think they will still be able to do that? I think they will.

It all comes back to people will be getting drugs based only on answers THEY provide, which may not be factual or correct

Trixie · #51 05/01/12, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

You'll still have to talk to a pharmacist, who know more about side effects and interactions that Drs. do.

I love this idea. We have taken pharmacists and made them nothing more than bottle filling cashiers. Years of schooling leaves these people with quite a bit of underutilized knowledge and we should be using it to it's full potential.

I don't trust doctors, I don't trust pharmacists and I don't trust pharmaceutical companies - and I don't take medicine unless it is absolutely necessary.

This isn't a matter of needing a 'nanny', and certainly everyone should be able to choose their own poison, so to speak. No way am I arguing this.

If people don't use this wisely, rather than a savings, I can see the potential for more hospitalization, severe illness, permanent damage, especially with the elderly, and others who have been taught to trust too much.

In Mexico, people have been purchasing their medication OTC for a very long time and they seem to be doing fine.

Heck, I think they should legalize drugs and the only penalty would be if someone made it available - deliberately or by error - to children and harming someone while under the influence. Otherwise, let them have it.

InvalidID · #52 05/01/12, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

But you said the Pharmacist could CHECK with the Dr.

Even if you went to see a Dr this one time it would make no difference, YOU HAVE NO MEDICAL HISTORY if you've never been to a Dr until this point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

It all comes back to people will be getting drugs based only on answers THEY provide, which may not be factual or correct

It all comes down to you think people need a nanny to protect them from themselves and I don't. You think people would lie in order to purchase some allergy meds and I don't, I fail to see a reason for it. You need someone to make sure you are doing the right thing and I don't.

It's really a simple concept. You need someone to hold your hand during the dangerous, complicated, oh so scary, process of buying pills for your headache or allergy and I don't. I'm confident in my ability to regulate my own actions and not somehow lie to myself or abuse the system so I can get an extra dose of extra strength Tylenol.

ryanthomas · #53 05/01/12, 10:39 AM

Quote:

It all comes back to people will be getting drugs based only on answers THEY provide, which may not be factual or correct

And that's their problem. If they want to be reckless with drugs, they can accept the consequences. If they choose to be cautious they can still go to the doctor for a consultation. But people lie to doctors pretty much all the time, so the doctor isn't usually working with the most accurate information either.

gapeach · #54 05/01/12, 10:58 AM

We order a lot of our meds from Canada. They are much cheaper.
Reason being that my husband is on a lot of expensive meds that don't have generics. He hits the donut hole pretty quickly.
I really would not care if some of the drugs go OTC. We would probably order some of those from Canada anyway.
One reason we are against Obamacare is that it takes that privilege away. No buying drugs from across the borders.

InvalidID · #55 05/01/12, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gapeach

We order a lot of our meds from Canada. They are much cheaper.
Reason being that my husband is on a lot of expensive meds that don't have generics. He hits the donut hole pretty quickly.
I really would not care if some of the drugs go OTC. We would probably order some of those from Canada anyway.
One reason we are against Obamacare is that it takes that privilege away. No buying drugs from across the borders.

Privilege? I'm not trying to call you out on the Obamacare stance cause I agree. But I do not like it at all when people say privilege. We're Americans and we have rights, not privileges.

tinknal · #56 05/01/12, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppy

The end result is people, including the elderly, will be paying more out of pocket because insurance will not pay for OTC drugs. Any way you slice it, healthcare will become more expensive for the majority.

Some win, some lose. Last month under this rule I maybe could have gotten a 5 dollar bottle off antibiotics for an infected tooth instead off just toughing it out because I don't have the money for a dentist or ER.

Bearfootfarm · #57 05/01/12, 11:28 AM

Quote:

And that's their problem. If they want to be reckless with drugs, they can accept the consequences

And when they end up in the hospital, there go all the "savings"

InvalidID · #58 05/01/12, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

And when they end up in the hospital, there go all the "savings"

You really think you're going to end up in the hospital because you can't choose the appropriate medicine?

Bearfootfarm · #59 05/01/12, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InvalidID

You really think you're going to end up in the hospital because you can't choose the appropriate medicine?

No, I think it will happen because they will be guessing at what they need, and thinking they are as qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses as a Dr.

It will happen because they DON'T go to a Dr and find out what is REALLY wrong with them.

InvalidID · #60 05/01/12, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

No, I think it will happen because they will be guessing at what they need, and thinking they are as qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses as a Dr.

It will happen because they DON'T go to a Dr and find out what is REALLY wrong with them.

Oh! So you think you're not smart enough to know when you have allergies or a migraine. Got it.