(NaturalNews) Dr. Sidney Wolfe, Director of Health Research at Public Citizen, recently called for more time, research and input regarding the FDA proposal to create a third class of drugs to be sold behind the counter (BTC) by pharmacists. Public Citizen is a national nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 to “represent consumer interests in Congress, the Executive Branch and in the courts”.
The website (www.worstpills.org) is a Public Citizen site devoted to providing unbiased, expert information on prescription drugs.
Dr. Wolfe says that questions remain about the safety, cost and need for a proposed third classification of drugs by the FDA and asks:
• Do pharmacists have the time and training to explain drug use and side effects to customers? If not, who will provide and pay for this training?
• Will pharmaceutical companies pressure the FDA to have some of their prescription drugs reclassified to BTC status to avoid regulation?
• Will lack of physician oversight in the prescribing process turn pharmacies into “drug vending machines” posing increased health risks to the public?
In a notice to its members, the American Pharmacists Association (APA) lists 25 questions that the organization would like input on regarding BTC availability of certain drugs prior to the FDA Public Comment on November 14, 2007. (A link to the full text is provided in the reference list below)
The role of the pharmacist is central to the BTC discussion. The APA list of questions is a thought provoking compilation of topics that need to be addressed if we are to thoroughly grasp the implications of such a ruling by the FDA.
For example, the APA asks “Would special training be needed for other pharmacy staff to aid in managing the work flow (storage, record keeping, distribution) and additional BTC responsibilities of the pharmacist(s) and the pharmacy? If so, what type of training or measures should be put in place? What impact would BTC availability of drugs have on the practice of medicine? ”
These are important questions that require well defined answers if we are to understand who will be accountable for safety issues related to BTC sales of certain drugs. The self prescribing customer may be the one ultimately accountable for requesting a BTC drug. What guidelines can the public look to when they are assessing a need for a drug and require a thorough understanding of both common and infrequent adverse side effects of potential BTC drugs like statins?
Anyone that saw the ABC News 20/20 Undercover Pharmacy investigation earlier this year will certainly want answers to all of the questions the APA poses. It is not unheard of that part time, untrained staff assists pharmacists; especially at busy pharmacy locations across the US.
Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand have already reclassified a number of drugs to BTC status. The APA notes that in these countries, “typically, the pharmacist is required to ensure the patient meets certain criteria prior to dispensing, to provide education on proper use, and to monitor”.
Educate, dispense and monitor. Is it realistic to think that these steps can be comprehensively carried out in already busy pharmacies across the US?
References:
http://www.citizen.org/pressroom
http://www.worstpills.org
http://pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=14250
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/03/results_of_the_.html
About the authorTeri Lee Gruss, MS Human Nutrition
Related Articles
• FDA seeks to bypass doctors with behind-the-counter drug sales via pharmacists
• Suzy Cohen, the 24-Hour Pharmacist, Reveals Shocking Dangers of Medications in Exclusive Audio Interview
• Study shows alarming spike in prescription drug deaths at the beginning of each month
• Human pharmacists replaced by robot in UK hospital
• Experiment shows medical doctors to be glorified drug dealers, easily manipulated by drug companies
 |
Additional Resources:
pharmacist
pharmaceuticals
the FDA
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022311.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Pharmaceutical Vending Machines
When pharmacists tell the truth
The FDA's Wheel of Salmonella
|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
