Pharmacists want power to prescribe; doctors worry about patient safety

[Zzarchov]

Most of the arguements I see against pharmacists AREN'T actually arguements against pharmacists.

They are arguements for someone monitoring prescriptions, and a Pharmacist is better suited to that than a Doctor.

Therefore, you SHOULD be arguing in FAVOUR of pharmacists handling prescriptions.

 

[L Gilbert]

I agree. The only argument I saw so far against having pharmacists do the job is that they'd try giving the more expensive drugs to the patient. If worse came to worse, that could be regulated, but I think having your insurance company see if there would be more inexpensive drugs that do the same job around would fix that problem. Pharmacists are simply the experts on drugs and what they do, not doctors. Besides, there's nothing that says a doctor couldn't prescribe here anyway even if one didn't want his/her pharmacist to prescribe.

 

[Curiosity]

You really think my doctor does any monitoring to prescribe my birth control?

Our visits go something like this:

"Hi Christine, just need a refill on the Depo"
"Sure. Any problems?"
"Nope."
"OK, here's the script, the nurse will be in to give you the shot in a minute. Good to see you again, have a good sleep." (I always have appointments after my night shift and before bed).

I like my doctor. I think she's really a good doc and value her knowledge and training when I am actually sick, but I also think those visits are a waste of time and money. They are required so we do them, but the notion that she's doing some sort of actual assessment that requires a doctor's expertise each time is just silly. Just so you know, there are birth control pills that can be obtained without a face to face visit with a doctor or PA or NP in the US. Mine is an injection, so it requires an office visit. Often the decisions for what can be available over the counter and what can't are somewhat arbitrary. That's why you can get some things without a prescription in the US that would require a prescription in Canada and vice versa.

Tracy

Nevertheless you have chosen to use birth control which is sold by prescription only - and if the office visit is too expensive, you know as a health professional you do not have to visit a private doctor - but can obtain this same drug at women's clinics for a nominal charge.

When you are on any drug as you also know, it can lose its effectiveness or can have side effects - not necessarily birth control but any drug if it is used long term especially for chronic illness.

What you have described here with your "scenario" between you and your casual doctor is two health professionals side-stepping a carefully worked out plan to keep people within the law, and healthy.

Perhaps you don't care that you have turned your doctor with her willing compliance into a semi-drug-dealer. Think about it.

But if you feel ok with it and can get away with it.... why not....I guess it's difficult doing your own mammograms and Paps tho right?

And for a nurse - being "sick on the job" endangers a great number of people -

Sorry but I can't agree whether your argument is valid or not - you have chosen to use the drug - and it is necessary you check in with your doctor regularly or you are both breaking the law. If you don't like it - change the law.

As I said in my earlier post - there are good/bad doctors and good/bad pharmacists and good/bad people too. I happen to like working within the law and appreciate the fact that because of good doctors who hauled me back from the brink less than ten years ago, I am able to sit here and write a message in argument with your casual attitude.

 

[tracy]

She isn't a drug dealer, there just isn't any assessment that still needs to be done. What else specifically do you think she needs to do to write my prescription for depo anymore? I mean specifically... cause I can't think of a single thing.

Like I said, I value her expertise for things like paps and breast exams (don't get mammos yet). I get my regular check ups and she's the one who sent me to a specialist when I had my gall bladder problems last year. Renewing a prescription I've been using without problems for 5+ years doesn't take any of her medical knowledge anymore. The dose isn't changeable and I'm intelligent enough to know to report any new side effects if they should suddenly appear.

I've never suggested I wouldn't follow the law which requires an office visit, all I said was I wouldn't be opposed to the rules changing so pharmacists could prescribe meds like this. I don't think that would be an unsafe practice at all and no one can tell me how it would be for a med like this.

I actually did look into the clinic route btw. They base their fees here on income so it wouldn't save me any money. I pay for the office visit because that's what I prefer to use and that's what's required. I'm just not delluding myself into thinking it does anything for my health or safety anymore.