Op-Ed FDA-approved drugs should be over-the-counter by default

[thegreenhand]

FDA-approved drugs should be over-the-counter by default​

Madison Kilbride, Steven Joffe, Holly Fernandez Lynch
Philadelphia Inquirer
6 Sep 2022

In a welcome move expected to save some patients thousands of dollars, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently finalized a rule allowing hearing aids to be sold over-the-counter without the need for an exam, prescription, or fitting by an audiologist.

The FDA shouldn’t stop there.

Prescriptions often feel unnecessary and frustrating. Like when you find yourself searching the drawer for that last pack of birth control pills, only to realize you’ve run out and your prescription is expired. Or when you’re bemoaning the inconvenience and cost of a perfunctory doctor’s visit to renew a long-standing prescription.

Why is it that we need to jump through hoops for some medicines while others are readily accessible on the drugstore shelf?

The short answer is that when the FDA reviews new drugs for approval, it starts from the assumption that they can only be used safely under the guidance of a licensed clinician. In many cases, that’s true. But given the implications for individual freedom and access to essential drugs, it’s time to flip the FDA’s approach: Drugs should be approved for over-the-counter (OTC) use unless the FDA determines they can’t be taken safely and effectively without a prescription.

 

[thegreenhand]

Of course, some drugs can be misused, intentionally or accidentally, and therefore should only be available by prescription. This includes drugs that are addictive, cause altered mental states, or are susceptible to illicit use

"hey guys, drugs should be legal for regulated sale beacuse of safety and individual freedom"

"oh sweet, even the ones i choose to use while exercising my individual freedom ?"

"no not those ones silly. that would be illegal"

 

[PtahTek]

it would seem.that there are less issues with countries that have this perspective... mainly od deaths by "accident". cant cite atm but read this at some point.
flood the market with anything and people will not be so secretive and alone when dosing eventually. and when the stigamtism lifts we may not be so reckless and enjoy life for a change. maybe cept sugar... manely the processded types.
just thoughts

 

[thegreenhand]

I agree with what the author is generally saying. Drugs should be sold OTC imo

They just contradicted themselves by saying that drugs who are “susceptible to illicit use” should remain illegal. The illicit use is purely a function of them not being OTC.

Not to mention, contraceptives are now susceptible to illicit use in many states, and that was one of the author’s main examples…

It’s just not a very consistent argument that they laid out imo