Self-prescribing Patients?

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

Written byJef Akst

| 1 min read

Listen with Speechify

0:00

1:00

FLICKR, BARTIFICIAL

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 ...

Interested in reading more?

The Scientist ARCHIVES

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!

Join for free today

Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Jef Akst
Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) got her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses. After four years of diving off the Gulf Coast of Tampa and performing behavioral experiments at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, she left research to pursue a career in science writing. As The Scientist's managing editor, Jef edited features and oversaw the production of the TS Digest and quarterly print magazine. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
View Full Profile