Want to be Heard?

[RobinN]

Right now, the agency is interested in gathering views from the public on whether behind-the-counter (BTC) drug sales could be beneficial to consumers, Lutter said. “We will review the comments we got today and the comments that we receive in writing to our open public docket, and then we will evaluate appropriate next steps,” he said. “We haven’t decided what the next step might be.”

http://renegadeneurologist.com/fda-h...nt-drug-sales/

[Bernard]

I'm doubtful that the FDA would include anti-epileptic drugs in any "behind-the-counter" initiative. anti-epileptic drugs are too dangerous.

[brain]

Oh gee whiz ...

anti-epileptic drug's OTC? Like Bernard says, they're
dangerous enough as they are. If they're
going to put anti-epileptic drug's OTC - might as well
throw in "Self-Service Lab Work" OTC so
they can check their blood work ...

D'oh!

[RobinN]

It did list migraine medicine. They are calling it BTC not a typical OTC. I am sure we all have a few prescriptions that would be better filled by the pharmacist than by waiting an hour in the doctors office for the approval.

[Bernard]

There have definitely been times that we forgot to call in a refill to the pharmacy until the bottle was empty only to find that the prescription had no refills left on the order and had to page her doctor on a weekend.

BTC could be a life saver in instances like that when docs are unavailable to update a prescription. I just don't see the FDA moving in that direction.

[RobinN]

Certainly not if people, patients, you, me, and the next guy, don't tell them all of the positives in doing so. The only ones that they will be listening to are the medical doctors that have lined pockets.

[Bernard]

Here's the link to the FDA page if you are interested in sending them feedback:

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E7-19329.htm

[RobinN]

You Rock Bernard!

(ewww....what are those teeth smilies doing here?)

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/script...ID=&AGENCY=FDA
...this is the exact docket

[Bernard]

[brain]

My vision's going I mistook the "B" for an "O",
so I saw it as an OTC ...

*sigh*

OK Mr. B - you can put your pearly whites
back in your mouth! LOL!