FDA may allow OTC sales of prescription drugs

[poppy]

for some ailments. I can see the pros and cons. They are considering it solely to cut costs in doctor visits and medicine costs. IOW, Medicare will become worth less to seniors because they will have to pay for these meds out of their own pocket. I can also see problems with diagnosing your own ailments from a menu board. On the up side, it would stop the quarterly visits to the doctor just to get a prescription for a drug you take every day. All in all, I see it as an inevitable decline in the quality of healthcare we have gotten used to.

FDA may let patients buy drugs without prescriptions - Washington Times

[InvalidID]

I personally welcome it. You say it is a decline in care but I think it allows more people to get the medicines they need. Not everyone has insurance, many of those people put off seeing a Dr. until something is really wrong because they don't want to pay a huge bill for a prescription. This allows them access to some of these medicines without unnecessary cost.

I would suggest your problem isn't with a decline in the overall system but with a loss of status quo.

[Bearfootfarm]

Not everyone has insurance

The majority DO have insurance.

It's cheaper to see a Dr and pay a copay for many of these drugs than to pay full price out of pocket

This will just allow people to "self medicate"

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

The majority DO have insurance.

It's cheaper to see a Dr and pay a copay for many of these drugs than to pay full price out of pocket

This will just allow people to "self medicate"

That you people feel like you're entitled to 'free' or cheap meds amazes me. That you people don't understand that the cost of healthcare in this country is directly tied to the NEED to see a Dr. for every little ailment is beyond belief to me. Do you know who is the largest healthcare insurer in the US? The government.

Just more people wanting government more involved in our lives. If people need someone to tell them when it's safe to take a low grade non-narcotic allergy meds then they should go see a Dr. The rest of us with half a brain can take care of ourselves.

From the article:

Under the changes that the agency is considering, patients could diagnose their ailments by answering questions online or at a pharmacy kiosk in order to buy current prescription-only drugs for conditions such as high cholesterol, certain infections, migraine headaches, asthma or allergies.

Yeah, if people are really too stupid to handle this on their own, em. Self medicate...

[Bearfootfarm]

Under the changes that the agency is considering, patients could diagnose their ailments by answering questions online or at a pharmacy kiosk in order to buy current prescription-only drugs for conditions such as high cholesterol, certain infections, migraine headaches, asthma or allergies.

So you can fill in the right answers and buy a drug that MIGHT kill you since it doesn't take into account any other problems you may have.

The rest of us with half a brain can take care of ourselves.

There's no pill for that.
Those with an ENTIRE brain understand why some drugs are prescription only

[Trixie]

I absolutely believe that I am intelligent enough to know when I need to see a doctor and if there is medicene I could take on my own.

Also, I have never, ever had an insurance company - or Medicare, pay for any medication for me, so money wise it won't make a difference.

My fear is the drug interactions, and side effects and will people be made aware of them? It's hard enough sometimes to get a doctor or pharmacist to give you this information - my family has been doing their own research for some time.

For some, I see it as a good thing - for some, I don't know- but the fact is, people do have a right to make their own decisions and just because a doctor prescribes it, doesn't mean it won't kill you.

Now, are the pharmaceuticals pushing this? Now they can ramp up their ads and come up with even more 'new' diseases and people will rush out and buy their medications. There again, though, it's their business.

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Trixie

I absolutely believe that I am intelligent enough to know when I need to see a doctor and if there is medicene I could take on my own.

Also, I have never, ever had an insurance company - or Medicare, pay for any medication for me, so money wise it won't make a difference.

My fear is the drug interactions, and side effects and will people be made aware of them? It's hard enough sometimes to get a doctor or pharmacist to give you this information - my family has been doing their own research for some time.

For some, I see it as a good thing - for some, I don't know- but the fact is, people do have a right to make their own decisions and just because a doctor prescribes it, doesn't mean it won't kill you.

Now, are the pharmaceuticals pushing this? Now they can ramp up their ads and come up with even more 'new' diseases and people will rush out and buy their medications. There again, though, it's their business.

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.

[stamphappy]

Only in America...

I find it rather ironic that this thread showcases the brilliance of the FDA making "people-drugs" OTC but a thread two weeks ago alerted us to the fact that as of April 11, 2012 the FDA ruled that certain "animal drugs" are now prescription-only!!

linky:

FDA now requires prescription for farm antibiotic

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

So you can fill in the right answers and buy a drug that MIGHT kill you since it doesn't take into account any other problems you may have.



There's no pill for that.
Those with an ENTIRE brain understand why some drugs are prescription only

Read the entire article. You still consult with a pharmacist who knows all about the drugs side effects.

Good lord man, where are these people with a whole brain you speak of? I'm having trouble finding many.

[Bearfootfarm]

Read the entire article. You still consult with a pharmacist who knows all about the drugs side effects.

I did read it

Under the changes that the agency is considering, patients could diagnose their ailments by answering questions online or at a pharmacy kiosk in order to buy current prescription-only drugs for conditions such as high cholesterol, certain infections, migraine headaches, asthma or allergies.

The Pharmacist won't know anything about YOU other than the questions you answer

The only mention of "consult a Pharmacist" was from a Dr who opposed it:

“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.”

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

I did read it



The Pharmacist won't know anything about YOU other than the questions you answer

The only mention of "consult a Pharmacist" was from a Dr who opposed it:

So you have to consult with a pharmacist? So if there are any side effects you would be informed? Well what do you know about that? And you're telling me a Dr. is afraid he's going to lose business and money is against this? OMG, I can't believe it!

It comes down to a real basic difference in world view. I want less people telling me what to do. I want to make more of my own decisions. You want someone else to do it for you, and you want the someone else to pay for it.

[Ozarks Tom]

This looks to me to be an accomodation to obamacare adding 16 million patients, and no doctors. If/when obamacare goes into effect, try seeing a doctor for an allergy or infection. You'll either have gone past the allergy season, or in the case of an infection, need an amputation.

I hope I'm smart enough to know the difference between ragweed nose, or a sinus infection, and pneumonia. If I'm not, then maybe I should let nature thin out the gene pool.

[Bearfootfarm]

So you have to consult with a pharmacist?

It never says that at all.

That was a SUGGESTION made by a Dr they interviewed.

One more time:

Under the changes that the agency is considering, patients could diagnose their ailments by answering questions online or at a pharmacy kiosk in order to buy current prescription-only drugs for conditions such as high cholesterol, certain infections, migraine headaches, asthma or allergies.

No mention of "consulting a Pharmacist"

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Ozarks Tom

This looks to me to be an accomodation to obamacare adding 16 million patients, and no doctors. If/when obamacare goes into effect, try seeing a doctor for an allergy or infection. You'll either have gone past the allergy season, or in the case of an infection, need an amputation.

I hope I'm smart enough to know the difference between ragweed nose, or a sinus infection, and pneumonia. If I'm not, then maybe I should let nature thin out the gene pool.

If you can't tell the difference between an allergy and pneumonia you've got bigger problems that either one.

Pneumonia symptoms:

People with infectious pneumonia often have a productive cough, fever accompanied by shaking chills, shortness of breath, sharp or stabbing chest pain during deep breaths, confusion, and an increased respiratory rate.[10] In the elderly, confusion may be the most prominent symptom.[10] The typical symptoms in children under five are fever, cough, and fast or difficult breathing.[11] Fever, however, is not very specific, as it occurs in many other common illnesses, and may be absent in those with severe disease or malnutrition. In addition, a cough is frequently absent in children less than 2 months old.[11] More severe symptoms may include: central cyanosis, decreased thirst, convulsions, persistent vomiting, or a decreased level of consciousness.[11]

Allergy:

The characteristic symptoms of allergic rhinitis are: rhinorrhea (excess nasal secretion), itching, and nasal congestion and obstruction.[5]

Characteristic physical findings include conjunctival swelling and erythema, eyelid swelling, lower eyelid venous stasis, transverse nasal crease, swollen nasal turbinates, and middle ear effusion.[6]

Other physical signs include folds in the skin below the lower eyelid known as Dennie–Morgan folds, and rings under the eyes, known in patients with allergic rhinitis as "allergic shiners"

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

It never says that at all.

That was a SUGGESTION made by a Dr they interviewed.

One more time:



No mention of "consulting a Pharmacist"

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.

[Ozarks Tom]

IID, thanks for the medical info, but, I think I was being facetious. Maybe we need a smiley face symbol for that.

[dlmcafee]

Amazing the government wants to relax regulations and some get all up in arms and then complain when they want to restrict their farms and homesteads. I for one think there needs to be a lot more loosening of the strings.

[plowjockey]

Originally Posted by InvalidID

If you can't tell the difference between an allergy and pneumonia you've got bigger problems that either one.

Pneumonia symptoms:

People with infectious pneumonia often have a productive cough, fever accompanied by shaking chills, shortness of breath, sharp or stabbing chest pain during deep breaths, confusion, and an increased respiratory rate.[10] In the elderly, confusion may be the most prominent symptom.[10] The typical symptoms in children under five are fever, cough, and fast or difficult breathing.[11] Fever, however, is not very specific, as it occurs in many other common illnesses, and may be absent in those with severe disease or malnutrition. In addition, a cough is frequently absent in children less than 2 months old.[11] More severe symptoms may include: central cyanosis, decreased thirst, convulsions, persistent vomiting, or a decreased level of consciousness.[11]

Allergy:

The characteristic symptoms of allergic rhinitis are: rhinorrhea (excess nasal secretion), itching, and nasal congestion and obstruction.[5]

Characteristic physical findings include conjunctival swelling and erythema, eyelid swelling, lower eyelid venous stasis, transverse nasal crease, swollen nasal turbinates, and middle ear effusion.[6]

Other physical signs include folds in the skin below the lower eyelid known as Dennie–Morgan folds, and rings under the eyes, known in patients with allergic rhinitis as "allergic shiners"

Isn't that the problem here?

Many people may not know the difference. Thy may not even know how to "google".

Also, what about dosages and frequency of use?

This is a very good opportunity for under/over dosing, reactions with other medications being taken, etc. Is this supposed to be the responibility of the Pharmicist?

This is what Doctors are for. Managing patient care.

[InvalidID]

Originally Posted by plowjockey

Isn't that the problem here?

Many people may not know the difference. Thy may not even know how to "google".

Also, what about dosages and frequency of use?

This is a very good opportunity for under/over dosing, reactions with other medications being taken, etc. Is this supposed to be the responibility of the Pharmicist?

This is what Doctors are for. Managing patient care.

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.

[dlmcafee]

Originally Posted by plowjockey

Isn't that the problem here?

Many people may not know the difference. Thy may not even know how to "google".

Also, what about dosages and frequency of use?

This is a very good opportunity for under/over dosing, reactions with other medications being taken, etc. Is this supposed to be the responibility of the Pharmicist?

This is what Doctors are for. Managing patient care.

Doctors kill a lot of people yearly in the US by miss diagnosis, and prescription errors. Do not get all gushy over their supposed record of stellar care.