I am a medical doctor licensed in Georgia and until recently New York, so I am fairly familiar with these problems. In basic sciences, the training with pharmacists probably overlaps enough to be comparable, for example, biochemistry and general physiology. But to think there is adequate clinical training is very mistaken. I am very surprised to read that Texas has erected this gatekeeping system. I don't want the hassles of dispensing meds, but to have to deal with an obstructive pharmacist would be absurd on its face not to mention infuriating. It's not unlike the HMO / prepaid program needing to pre-approve procedures before they get done and where you have to answer a hundred questions from a nurse overseer. I make no money nor participate in these prescriptive orders (medication prescriptions, radiology requests, etc). Very disturbing to say the least.
Sorry, @Amuse, you are WAY off base on this one. Physicians receive little education on pharmaceuticals while licensed pharmacists spend 6 years becoming experts on the subject. For decades physicians have learned more from drug salesmen than they learned in training. Always, the best interest of the patient is served by the teamwork of pharmacist with the physician.
Cooperation between providers seems ideal but Amuse suggests a unilateral arrangement. Not in TX so can’t know. I do count on my pharmacy to advise me and often ask given a new prescription. Pharmacists should advise not decide.
My friend who owns independent pharmacies and is morally against abortion pills, is legally mandated to dispense them in his state. He prices them sky high and refers customers to another pharmacy telling them they can buy them much cheaper there.
Having built a “switch” for the Texas Independent Pharmacist Association (late 90’s), I understand your position, but it’s fundamentally wrong. Have you ever interviewed an independent pharmacist? Have you interviewed a “corporate “ one?
You throw around “safety “ like it’s a casual word and give zero consideration to the training these folks are given to specialize in chemistry that the doctors haze comparably ZERO knowledge.
- pharm shopping
- bad interactions
- side affects
These are just a handful of the “safety “ concerns that you skip past in your rambling post.
Wait—so we SHOULD trust doctors?
I am a medical doctor licensed in Georgia and until recently New York, so I am fairly familiar with these problems. In basic sciences, the training with pharmacists probably overlaps enough to be comparable, for example, biochemistry and general physiology. But to think there is adequate clinical training is very mistaken. I am very surprised to read that Texas has erected this gatekeeping system. I don't want the hassles of dispensing meds, but to have to deal with an obstructive pharmacist would be absurd on its face not to mention infuriating. It's not unlike the HMO / prepaid program needing to pre-approve procedures before they get done and where you have to answer a hundred questions from a nurse overseer. I make no money nor participate in these prescriptive orders (medication prescriptions, radiology requests, etc). Very disturbing to say the least.
The red flag that immediately pops up is: immune from prosecution.
Shades of Covid mRNA shots!
I wonder the outcomes if some "ideological" pharmacists disappeared?
Sorry, @Amuse, you are WAY off base on this one. Physicians receive little education on pharmaceuticals while licensed pharmacists spend 6 years becoming experts on the subject. For decades physicians have learned more from drug salesmen than they learned in training. Always, the best interest of the patient is served by the teamwork of pharmacist with the physician.
Cooperation between providers seems ideal but Amuse suggests a unilateral arrangement. Not in TX so can’t know. I do count on my pharmacy to advise me and often ask given a new prescription. Pharmacists should advise not decide.
My friend who owns independent pharmacies and is morally against abortion pills, is legally mandated to dispense them in his state. He prices them sky high and refers customers to another pharmacy telling them they can buy them much cheaper there.
Having built a “switch” for the Texas Independent Pharmacist Association (late 90’s), I understand your position, but it’s fundamentally wrong. Have you ever interviewed an independent pharmacist? Have you interviewed a “corporate “ one?
You throw around “safety “ like it’s a casual word and give zero consideration to the training these folks are given to specialize in chemistry that the doctors haze comparably ZERO knowledge.
- pharm shopping
- bad interactions
- side affects
These are just a handful of the “safety “ concerns that you skip past in your rambling post.
Do better.