So says the Ontario Medical Association.
“The doctors’ lobby is fighting back against government plans to let nurse practioners lead local health clinics and to allow pharmacists to prescribe some drugs.” [Winnipeg Free Press via @fpbowen]
I have to disagree with the OMA’s position. In certain circumstances, for certain drugs, I believe MD-only prescriptions to needless overhead. For instance, I am asthmatic, and have been using Ventolin inhalers since I was 10. Periodically, I have to visit my doctor to get refills prescribed: a waste of my time, and his.
So – when the drug in question is low risk, and the patient has an acceptable level of history with it, why not let the pharmacist handle that transaction?
I’m willing to be that a large percentage of prescriptions would fall into this category.
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