what do you think about pharmacist being able to precribe certain medications?

Question

you wouldn't have to go to a doctor (or pay a doctor bill) to get some meds that you know you need. Why do you have to pay for a doctors appointment to get a refill on blood pressure meds when a pharmacist could easily take blood pressure measurements and send blood samples to the lab to check for potassium levels and other adverse outcomes? Don't we not pay enough for healthcare, without having to pay for unnecessary doctor visits?

Answer 1

A pharmacist knows drugs....that's it. They don't know the human body or what symptoms your feeling, etc. What if they prescribe the wrong drug? Then what?

Answer 2

they do in europe, the laws are behind the time in the United States. They let PAs prescribe anything they want and they only have a 2 year medical degree. there is a lot of debate about that though and the FDA is debating whether to start a third class of medication which a pharmacist can prescribe, so it may happen in a few years. and they currently can do it if they sign a collabrative agreement with a physician in which the physician sets guidelines for the pharmacist's prescribing, but its done mostly with vaccines and sometimes anticoagulants in specializd pharmacist-run clinics

Answer 3

Well, actually, this is already being done. In Florida, pharmacists have limited ability to prescribe medications without physician supervision. Other states like Cali, Nevada, New Mexico also has expanded abilities although require physician supervision.

Is it a good idea? I don't believe it's a good idea for acutes, although for long term chronic medicated conditions is a different story. In that scenario, a pharmacist would be more ideal since they are more aware of the patient's medication history, possible drug interactions, and whathaveyou. As long as there's a biannual followup to make sure things are going smoothly, I have no complaints.

Answer 4

The FDA is investigating the possibility of a behind the counter class of medications. For this class, you would have to talk with a pharmacist before buying the medication. The pharmacist will be the gatekeeper and no prescription will be needed. Drugs talked about for this class include statins, birth control, migraine medications, and erectile dysfunction drugs.

Answer 5

A pharmacist knows how formulations are prepared, how they work and what are the pahrmaceutical equivalents for a prescribed medicine. He does not have knowledge of diagnosing a disease, deciding further course of action, reducing or increasing a dose etc. The two jobs are different and discrete, let each one do his.

Answer 6

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