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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Zyprexa on December 5, 2007, at 19:07:26
Anyone know much about this? I saw on TV that medications might be going OTC. More accessable to people who need them. Psychotropics, and others, like lovastatin.
This would be a realy good idea!
Posted by yxibow on December 6, 2007, at 2:37:30
In reply to OTC meds???, posted by Zyprexa on December 5, 2007, at 19:07:26
> Anyone know much about this? I saw on TV that medications might be going OTC. More accessable to people who need them. Psychotropics, and others, like lovastatin.
>
> This would be a realy good idea!I'm not sure about psychotropics, that would require some rather large review by the FDA, because the quality of pharmacy techs and drugstore help varies wildly. Even at one pharmacy, a tech did not know that a particular prescription drug had multiple uses.
And also, remember what you wish for, because there are consequences. Deaths. Oh, I think I feel rather depressed, I'll take MARPLAN OTC. (just an illustration).
Now lovastatin (Mevacor) could become Mevacor OTC, this is scheduled for discussion this month. But often you end up with medications that are more expensive than the ones you would have paid with insurance.
They are patent extenders to a degree.
It took a long while for Claritin OTC to become (pick your pharmacy brand) loratadine OTC and even the generic is not the cheapest thing around.
Posted by torachan on December 6, 2007, at 6:41:42
In reply to Re: OTC meds??? » Zyprexa, posted by yxibow on December 6, 2007, at 2:37:30
Never going to happen, though I firmly believe it should. What would happen to the profession of the pharmacist? I'm quite certain they have a powerful lobby and union closely linked with the field of medicine. Think of the money that's at stake by eliminating an entire professional occupational field which commands large--overpaid--salaries. Not to mention the pharmaceutical companies likely prefer the current system with reduced competition.
Posted by Zyprexa on December 6, 2007, at 10:09:02
In reply to Re: OTC meds??? » Zyprexa, posted by yxibow on December 6, 2007, at 2:37:30
I was hoping the wide availablity would bring costs down. I don't see why making it otc would extend patent?
Posted by Zyprexa on December 6, 2007, at 10:18:05
In reply to Re: OTC meds???, posted by torachan on December 6, 2007, at 6:41:42
why pharmacists when you have internet? You could still have a pharmacist around for answering questions. I think the price of some of these meds are way too inflated. You could still go to doctor for advice if you need to.
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2007, at 12:12:34
In reply to Re: OTC meds???, posted by Zyprexa on December 6, 2007, at 10:18:05
Mexico sells antibiotics over the counter don't know what else or they did in the 80's not sure a good idea as too many antibiotics not good develope tolerance to them and you would never know the organism responsible for your infection if it was an infection and not a virus. Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on December 7, 2007, at 4:39:46
In reply to Re: OTC meds???, posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2007, at 12:12:34
> Mexico sells antibiotics over the counter don't know what else or they did in the 80's not sure a good idea as too many antibiotics not good develope tolerance to them and you would never know the organism responsible for your infection if it was an infection and not a virus. Phillipa
This is another thing I was going to get to -- rampant use of medications that aren't always in your best interest or the interest of the community around you in the case above.
There's a reason why you go to a psychiatrist, hopefully a good one -- through discussion and possible psychological testing you get an actual diagnosis that then can be attacked with various palleative(s) (medications) that will make you happier.
It may be fine and good to have Imodium (that took a little stretch too of the FDA) and Maalox and Sudafed (ugh, don't start me about the meth-heads) and Benadryl on the shelves although even all the above can kill.
I won't give anybody the actual name but the most deadly commonly used substance is OTC and is a godsend for fevers and goes by the brand name of Ty*****. Not a very nice way to go, at the bottom of a liver transplant list. Dont.
Basically what you're asking for is self-diagnosis which we all banter about in a way on here, to the extent of possibly having the ideation of ordering from www.illegaloverseasgetyourviagra.com.If you want unlicensed medical practice just take a drive south of the border to a rural part of a place not like Nuevo Leon but staffed by people not quite board certified..
Oh, and patent extension -- of course its patent extension. Who do you think Lexapro OTC would be made by? I'll give you one guess, Forest Laboratories. For the next 17 years, or however long they can persuade an exclusive OTC. They'll still be taking your money, only it will be your cash directly, somewhat but not completely less than the prescribed set price because the advertising budget has been half spent basically already, and will not be insurance paid.
This is the end of the thread.
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