IT'S COMING: PHARMACISTS PRESCRIBING DRUGS

A new report indicatesthat pharmacists will expandtheir role to prescribingmedications in at least 6states in 5 years, accordingto report author KaloramaInformation.

The state of Florida allowssome prescribing off anapproved list, and manystates allow prescription choice from a physician diagnosis.The cost of copays and time spent on physician visitswill increase the need for drug decisions to be made atthe pharmacist level.

The report, Prescribing Pharmacists, a Decision MakerEmerges, details how pharmacists already have atremendous impact on drug revenues, and companiesthat do not incorporate a marketing strategy involvingpharmacists will lose advantage in the coming years. Theanalysis indicates that pharmacists are moving from theirrole of dispensing medication based on physician instructions,to prescribing based on physician diagnosis, toindependent prescribing in some limited situations.