Pharmacists Prescribing

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Sam - 21 May 2004 05:51 GMT

What are your thoughts on pharmacists prescribing?

By the time I graduate, pharmacists should have full prescribing rights in
the province I'm living in. Here is one of the College of Pharmacists' fact
sheets on this issue:

http://www.altapharm.org/ims/client/upload/FactSheet3.pdf

Thoughts?

Sam
Pharmacy Student

Reply to this Message

Gregory Poon - 21 May 2004 15:47 GMT

Much like a previously touted joined statement between the Ontario College
of Pharmacists/Ontario Medical Association, and alas, the Romanow Report, I
have my serious doubts about any of these "wish lists" becoming reality.
Remember we're talking about prescribing, considered by all community
physicians as sacred and inalienable as far as they are concerned. Even in
teaching hospitals, "pharmacy suggests" orders have to be cosigned by a
physician, usually a resident (who is sometimes still unsure enough on
his/her feet to give in). Yes, it all sounds great, but is it *really*
going to happen?

> What are your thoughts on pharmacists prescribing?
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Sam
> Pharmacy Student

Reply to this Message

rxempress - 23 May 2004 14:02 GMT

One of the major concerns about pharmacist prescribing is the inability to
diagnose without being able to authorize lab work.

That is why the move to make certain statins OTC is a joke. Not only can
we not get an initial cholesterol level but how in the world would we be
able to follow up on efficacy as well as enzyme levels?

Additionally you open yourself to even more liability suits. Increases in
liability insurance rates would sky rocket. It also removes one of the
double checks involved between the separation of the prescriber and the
dispenser

If you want to prescribe become a doctor.. nurse practioner... or
physician's assistant.

Reply to this Message

Pumbaa - 23 May 2004 15:27 GMT

You are right, but lets eliminate the need for a doctor's order for a simple
lab test. The patient would have to pay cash for his lipid profile and
enzyme levels if the doctor did not order it. At health fairs people are
presently screened for high BP, high blood glucose levels, vision tested, so
forth. If insurance does not cover the tests when given OTC, then we shall
just have to see what happens. Maybe it will be cheaper to go to a doctor
for statins than to buy them OTC. If the drug companies make more money and
the insurance companies spend less (= make more money) then the laws will
probably be changed to permit it.

"One of the major concerns about pharmacist prescribing is the inability to
diagnose without being able to authorize lab work. That is why the move to
make certain statins OTC is a joke. Not only can we not get an initial
cholesterol level but how in the world would we be able to follow up on
efficacy as well as enzyme levels?"

Reply to this Message