[e-drug] Prescribing and dispensing in one hand? (11)

["Paul Lobb" <paul.lobb@gmail.com>]

E-DRUG: Prescribing and dispensing in one hand? (11)
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Hi E-Druggers,

Here we are talking about dispensing doctors, but what about this new drive
towards prescribing pharmacists in the UK and  US?  I know there are
dispensing nurses but is there not a very real danger that the removal of
the separation of functions  will destroy the pharmacy profession. Who will
take up the checking role? Will it be delegated to clinically competent
technicians? Why not then just make pharmacy diploma qualification?

If as a pharmacist I am able to supply any drug that a patient needs why
will I behave more ethically than a dispensing doctor? I am imagining the
scenario in which the prescribing pharmacist's employee (technician or
pharmacist) dispenses what he prescribes.

Regards,

Paul Lobb
Unaffiliated non-practising  pharmacist (Zimbabwe)
E-mail: paul.lobb@gmail.com