Quote:
Originally Posted by GP_Matt
I am curious about the PC promise to allow pharmacists to renew prescriptions without a doctor. Isn't there cases where the doctor wants to review a prescription before renewing it? Taking the check away from the doctor seems like a dangerous precedence in breaking down the separation between doctors and pharmacists.
I am not really sure of all the issues here but it seems like something that shouldn't be announced lightly.
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That legislation exists already in BC, and i believe also has in Alberta for some time . There are many limitations (no narcotics, psych meds, rx cannot be older than 6 months, etc.), and liability still resides with the prescriber (in this case a pharmacist). No pharmacist is going to renew a med for a complex issue for no valid reason any more than a walk-in/family physician would. The change is meant to help alleviate the dr shortage by allowing pharmacists to make decisions they are trained to make. For example, many times a prescription for a blood pressure medication that a person has been on for 5 years runs out. Very rarely can you get in to see your physician right away, yet you are out. The pharmacist can renew that med (assuring that bp control, and other potential issues are normal). The current option is either a $ 700 emergency room visit (happens very often, at least here in kamloops), a walk-in visit for a simple 1 month renewal, or worse yet, not take it at all until the next visit. This is not meant for meds that are new or complex. Remember that the pharmacist wants to protect their livelihood too, and has the same desire to benefit the health of the patient as the doctor. Pharmacist have often done "emergency supplies" of medications, but previously existing legislation does not really allow for it.