Wednesday, August 29, 2007

A prescription for change

From the Portage (Man.) Daily Graphic:
Pharmacists in Manitoba may be able to prescribe drugs in certain cases if the province has its way.

Pharmacists, doctors and patients are being consulted as new regulations are being drafted in accordance with Manitoba’s Pharmaceutical Act passed last fall. The Act gives pharmacists the authorization to write prescriptions in cases such as when a patient with a chronic condition needs a refill or when a patient has developed a reaction to a prescribed drug and requires a substitute.

“Pharmacists are not interested in taking over the job of doctors and, in Manitoba, doctors are not interested in inhibiting a pharmacist’s ability to help his or her client,” said Health Minister Theresa Oswald yesterday.

“We’re not trying to discourage people from getting the care they need. It just means in some circumstances where patients would go to the doctor for a routine signature that would not have to happen.”

The province has tried to assure opponents of the legislation it will make sure all the appropriate checks and balances are in place so neither pharmacists nor patients abuse the system with regard to visits and prescriptions. ...more

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