Sidestepping Your Doc Posted by Meg at 10/10/07 04:46 PM

The FDA is considering creating a new class of drugs called “behind-the-counter” medicines, which would fall somewhere in between over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs. Like OTC, consumers would be able to purchase these drugs without a script from their doctor. But it would first require a consultation with the pharmacist. This new category could include drugs for cholesterol management and migraines, as well as birth control pills.

Pharmacists and drug companies like the idea; doctors think it's dangerous. If approved, the drug classification could go into effect as early as next year.

"We believe having certain drugs behind the counter but available only after a consultation with a pharmacist could significantly increase patient access," said Ilisa Bernstein, the FDA's director of pharmacy affairs.

But doctors are on alert. Dr. Anmol Mahal, a Fremont gastroenterologist and president of the California Medical Assn., said the federal agency's proposal was ill-conceived and unsafe for consumers.

"Patients are not clinicians," he said. "Allowing people to self-diagnose and self-treat is not in their best interest. Nothing could be farther from the truth."
Los Angeles Times 10/05/07

From a pro-consumer standpoint, behind-the-counter drugs would be more accessible and convenient for those who take routine, low-risk prescriptions. They also could offer significant cost savings if consumers could get the drugs they need without paying to see a doctor (especially if they’re uninsured!), and because non-prescription drugs are generally less expensive.

But doctors have valid concerns.

Mahal, of the California Medical Assn., said a main worry was that patients would buy medication and then lack supervision to ensure that their treatment was safe and effective. Another worry: that women who skip regular doctor visits to get prescriptions for birth control pills may also forgo gynecological examinations.

Several European countries, Canada and New Zealand already offer a wider variety of behind-the-counter drugs. So is the US appropriately cautious, or are we behind the times on behind-the-counter drugs?

comments (2)

1 Posted by KD Wildmo at 02/01/08 11:37 AM

We definitely are behind the times. When my daughter and I were in Mexico and she came down with food poisoning the people we were staying with told us to go to the pharmacy. We did, talked to the pharmacist and got an antibiotic, she was well within 2 days. I had a horrible sinus infection last Christmas in Switzerland, went to the pharmacy, talked to the pharmacist, got an antibiotic, was good to go after a couple of days.
In both cases, we did not need to go to a doctor, it was obvious what was wrong, got medicine from the pharmacist and everything was better within a short time.

I know when I have certain medical problems, I do not need to go to the doctor to tell them what's wrong so I can get a script. I am on a daily medication that I have been taking for 5 years. Why do I need to go to the doctor at least once a year to get this script written for refills?

2 Posted by Andreea at 04/03/08 08:32 AM

Drug treatment is good, but I prefer healthier treatments such as plants, fruits etc. The bad thing is that not every pain can be stopped with a tea or something like that :(