blog.bioethics.net

"Sort of takes the spontaneity out of that one"
Which seems in line with viagra itself, at any rate.
Mostly I can't see how talking to a doctor with whom I have no history, requiring that we go through various test results and a long consultation, could possibly be more comfortable than simply talking to the guy who already asks me to turn and cough. I can understand how people could be embarrassed, I simply don't see how this makes it better.
Then again, it could be a cheap way to get some tests done.

- by Michael Holt on Feb 15, 2007 at 3:59 AM | link

I think this could be dangerous. The training of a pharmacist and the training of a physician are entirely different. The patients could be at risk if the pharmacist fails to pick up some detail that contraindicates Viagra because it is beyond their field of expertise. (Who takes the blood pressures again? Is that something that is taught in pharmacy programs? Or are they relying on automatic cuffs which are not very reliable and often need verification with manual readings?) I am suspicious that this program would naturally attract the population of patients who have medical issues that make Viagra contraindicated - they either have been or are afraid that they will be denied a prescription by their doctor, so they take this route and lie about their history. I am sure that the pharmacy & pharmacist are protected in this situation, but isn't it more ethically responsible to provide programs that promote the safety of patients? I hope this doesn't happen in the U.S. My last experience at the pharmacy was a 30 minute wait for them to count out 30 antibiotic pills. They were handed to me with a warning they may interact with another medication that I was taking. When I asked the pharmacist exactly what type of interaction to expect, he said, "It is just bad for your system to take them both." I would hate to have to wait an hour to get that valuable piece of medical advice...

- by Holly James, RN on Feb 18, 2007 at 5:32 PM | link

Wow! Since when are pharmacists allowed to prescribe medications? So you sit through a consultation...as Holly said "are they relying on automatic cuffs", and how are they obtaining the glucose and cholesterol tests? Are they certified to analyze results? I know that I would personally feel more comfortable talking to my doctor (who is more qualified) about erectile dysfunction. The erectile dysfunction could be resulting from some disease process that needs to be addressed. Will that be picked up by a pharmacist...probably not. Are the pharmacists taking into consideration a whole health history or medications that the patient is currently on? I know that I would want a physician to determine if it was safe for me to take viagra and to have sexual relations. I would choose my life over a night of passion.

- by Heather G on Feb 19, 2007 at 2:08 AM | link

This could be a very dangerous marketing scheme. Viagra can cause more problems than the average man knows about. Working in the emergency room viagra prohibits men from being able to have a cardiac catheterization if he ends up over-exerting himself and ends up having a heart attack. This should not be dealt with lightly and even though it may be embarassing to talk about with the doctor it is imperitive this is done. Given the different medications that treat blood pressure it may be contraindicated and the man could end up in more trouble than it is worth.

- by Julia on Feb 19, 2007 at 8:44 AM | link

I love the sentiment of pairing "ED awareness" and Viagra samples on Valentine's Day. It is also a great way to dispel any embarassement and shame that men may feel about this issue. If they see the line form at the pharmacy, perhaps they will be more likely to jump on it. However, the MD should be on hand doing the prescribing in coordination with the pharmacist who is taking into account the patients regular medications. Leaving the prescribing soley in the hands of the pharmacist is irresponsible medicine.

- by Jill Braver Richman on Feb 19, 2007 at 5:41 PM | link

This is quiet fascinating that the pharmacist can simply “hand out” the pills. It seems as if the pharmacy is taking into account that many men should not use Viagra but is a one time blood pressure screening, cholesterol and glucose test enough? Since when did the pharmacist gain the ability to decide what medications are right for you based upon a simple one time session? What about those men with infrequent episodes of chest pain and take a couple nitroglycerin tables a year? Nitroglycerin is a huge contradiction in Viagra use. Not consulting the physician whom most likely knows a lot more about the man’s health history could prove to be detrimental.

- by Adam on Feb 20, 2007 at 12:46 PM | link

I'm amazed that a pharmacist has the appropriate training to prescribe medications based on an hour long consultation. He takes a blood pressure, does a blood sugar and cholesterol test and....here you go, have fun! What a joke. Viagra is dangerous, especially if there's underlying cardiac problems. I can't imaging that asking your doctor for viagra can be any more embarassing than telling your lady you have to use it. The smart thing to do here is own up and talk, like a man, to your doctor about your erectile dysfunction. Doctors, I'm sure, do a more thorough work-up than a glucose, cholesterol, and BP before handing out the drugs. Maybe not, I'm no expert oon Viagra. Hopefully the men that are seeking these drugs are smarter than going to the local CVS and sitting with someone not at all qualified to prescribe a drug like viagra and walking away with the drug...no questions asked. It all sounds ludicrous but I'm sure it's more controlled than this article leads us to believe. Heck, you can probably buy viagra on ebay these days!
Dana

- by Dana on Feb 20, 2007 at 6:49 PM | link

I cannot agree with this type of marketing. If we let this happen then pharmacies will follow suit with other medications with a few simple tests. Of course we could save the doctor's bill if the pharmacist did not charge you. Then again why would we need the doctor? Let the pharmacy diagnose your problem and prescribe the medication. If your don't become "fit as a fiddle" then check with your doctor, if they are still around.

- by V K Rhoads on Feb 21, 2007 at 1:51 PM | link

This would make for a dangerous new "wave." A pharmacist's training is entirely different than that of a physician's. I am not expert on Viagra or ED but a physician has much more information about a patient and his history concerning the effective uses of Viagra versus a pharmacists. It does not seem health concious or safe to get a few tests with the pharmacist and be on your way out the door with any prescription drug. Furthermore, if someone is not comfortable talking with their doctor about ED, how is talking to a pharmacist and going through testing any less uncomfortable?

- by T. Przybysz on Feb 22, 2007 at 2:22 PM | link

I think this is a bad idea, at least for this drug. A lot of patient's aren't familiar with the prescriptions, health history, etc. A physician is more opt to know everyting about this patient to safely prescribe this drug. It may also give people easier access that don't have erectile disfuction that think it will help their performance. Most people are honest and open with meds, hx, and needs when it comes to physicians or nurses. Are they going to have the same honestly with a pharmacist? I'm not fond of this idea when I couldn't even buy Claritin D because I didn't have my license even though I'm almost 30. If there is that much of a hassle over allergy medicine, why would something like viagra be sold OTC.

- by Diane Annarino-Kot on Feb 22, 2007 at 3:58 PM | link

This is quite the break through for medicine. Now the pharmacist ask a few questions, takes a pressure, checks your blood and your on your way with the magic pill in hand and your partner at home. This may seem to be a good idea and marketing tool because there are times when the Doc calls the pharmacicst for questions about meds. There are times when the two of them consult but for the pharmacist to prescribed meds, I don't think is a good idea. The Doc knows the history of the patient and whos to say that if someone would go wrong that the patient's family would try to pin things on the Doc and say he should have been monitoring his pt. and medication regime for closely.

- by Coleman on Feb 23, 2007 at 12:15 AM | link

I don't think giving out any medication is a good idea. A pharmacist has different training than a doctor. If this is the pharmacy you frequent at least they would have some information about you. Then would that be uncomfortable. People who don't frequent this pharmacy would be there to get this medication. How would the pharmacist be certain the information they are getting is true. I feel it is to dangerous and to many what if's.

- by Mary Beth Logan on Feb 23, 2007 at 4:23 PM | link

This is in Britain...so the rules and attitudes towards medications are a bit different than here in the US. Paracetemol with Coedine, for example, is an over the counter medication as are many other drugs that require a prescription in the US.
I'm not saying that Viagra is a good candidate to be such a drug; only that it is a different situation than going down to the local CVS here in the states.

- by Chris on Feb 24, 2007 at 11:46 PM | link

Mary Beth I agree with you I think this would be risk too. The pharmacist may get men that he don't know and lies about their medical conditions. It could turn into a bad Valetine's day when your sweety has a heart attack from the viagra.

- by Lisa Taylor on Feb 26, 2007 at 4:54 PM | link

I was not aware that a pharmacist can prescribe medications. I would think that this could be very dangerous. If you will have to go see your doctor to get more, then why not just go see them in the first place. I think maybe this is a way to make money. I am not familiar with Viagra or insurance, but is Viagra even covered with insurance?

- by Vanessa Nolf on Feb 26, 2007 at 6:48 PM | link

I too agree with the most of you that it is irresponsible handing out presription pills after only being with the patient for an hour. There could be a lot of medical conditions that the man may not want to tell the pharmacist and some bad reactions could occur. I think safety first. Perhaps, as one other person commentted, it could be a good idea if the doctor and pharmacists were able to do the interview and prescribing together.

- by Jennifer Greeley on Feb 26, 2007 at 11:15 PM | link