Interesting discussion in the Straits Times about whether
doctors should just prescribe and let patients purchase medication
from pharmacies.
I have no personal interest here since I no longer prescribe in my
practice. However, I think this is at least partly driven by the
interests of pharmacies.
I do not think that is good for most consumers. If doctors do not
sell medication but merely prescribe, will the consultation fees
drop significantly? I doubt it. GPs have overheads that will not be
reduced by not selling medication; in fact, it is selling medicines
that subsidize their low consultation charges.
What will happen if GPs can no longer sell medication is that they
will tend to prescribe the most efficacious medicine (regardless of
the cost) and over-service their patients since expensive drugs
will no longer eat into their profits. Pharmacies have overheads of
their own and patients will have two bills to pay. So I fail to see
how medical charges will drop.
Businesses will also have to change their medical benefits
policies. Currently many employers do not pay for medication you
buy from pharmacies, only for GP consultation charges which include
medication at the moment.
I
