Self-prescribing Patients?

The FDA considers making some drugs for diabetes, asthma, and other ailments available over the counter.

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A new proposal being considered by regulators at the US Food and Drug Administration could eliminate the need for a prescription for a number of widely-used drugs, including those for diabetes, asthma, and migraines.

FDA officials say that thanks to new computer technologies such as touch-screen kiosks that allow patients to self-diagnose certain diseases, removing prescription requirements for a handful of drugs could help ensure more widespread distribution of important therapies, The Washington Post with Bloomberg Business reported. While more than 25 million Americans are believed to struggle with diabetes, for example, some 7 million have not been diagnosed and thus are not receiving available treatments.

“These are discussions that need to start happening as we think about people’s health needs and how to improve ...

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Meet the Author

  • Jef Akst

    Jef Akst was managing editor of The Scientist, where she started as an intern in 2009 after receiving a master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses.
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