FDA Hears Pros, Cons of Pharmacist-to-Patient ...(ns and responsibilities that they take f...),Health

Among those supporting the idea of "behind-the-counter" drugs is the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA).

"NCPA strongly supports BTC because it will increase patient access, reduce health-care costs, increase interaction between the patient and pharmacists and have an overall positive impact on health care," Steve Giroux, NCPA president, said in a prepared statement. "Transitioning some drugs to BTC status will offer patients a readily available, cost-effective means for treatment, reducing the severity of illnesses and increasing workforce productivity by decreasing sick time."

Another industry association also supports the BTC drug sales, but for a different reason.

"The whole notion of having some medications behind the counter is a wonderful way to improve medication use and advance patient care," James Appleby, chief operating officer of the American Pharmacists Association, said Tuesday.

He sees the proposal as a way for druggists to be reimbursed by the health insurance industry for dispensing advice and medications to consumers.

"If behind-the-counter medications are going to be a true health-care experience, the American Pharmacists Association would envision a situation in which insurers and third-party payers would pay pharmacists, much the way they pay physicians for physician visits," Appleby said.

But the country's largest organization representing physicians, the American Medical Association, does not endorse the plan.

"We are opposed to it for a variety of reasons," said Joseph Cranston, AMA's director of Science, Research, and Technology. "First of all, we don't think FDA has the legal authority to establish it without legislation."

His group also does not believe there's even a need for this new form
'/>"/>