[e-drug] e-drug] pharmacist v/s physician? (2)

["Leo Offerhaus" <offerhausl@euronet.nl>]

E-DRUG: pharmacist v/s physician? (2)
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Dear colleagues,

I have hesitated to participate in the recent discussion pharmacist vs physician because it elicits emotions and it is a battle which has been raging for more than 30 years. However, I think that the pharmacists miss one crucial point, i.e. that drug treatment is one of many options which are at the physician's disposal, one of the most important options being of NOT prescribing drugs or even deliberately witholding drug treatment even if the patient asks for a prescription. May I remind you that despite all criticisms targeted at GP's my country, Holland, has the lowest consumption of antibiotics per capita in the whole of Europe and AS A RESULT we have (possibly)  the lowest incidence of MRSA in the whole world (Listen, 
Mr.Michael Howard!).

Drug treatment is only one of many options in general practice and even in hospital medicine, and there are many other means of satisfying the patient's needs. With few exceptions pharmacists rarely or never are confronted with really sick people and with the necessity to take decisions on life or death. If they want to treat patients, alright, but then go back to the university and study medicine, as the British apothecaries did in the 19th century.

Good luck and best wishes,

Leo Offerhaus
The Netherlands
offerhausl@euronet.nl