There are a new generation of people who are confusing new technologies that work quickly with working efficiently. Being able to call people and be miles apart has allowed a whole new dependence upon this technology and it has seeped into all planes of life. As phones have become increasingly accessible, they are even more heavily relied upon. For example, people have been able to quickly contact their doctor or pharmacy over the phone in order to refill a prescription. The development of the ability to refill prescriptions over the phone causes people to attain medicines that they do not necessarily need, involves pharmacists to decide if the medicine is safe, and puts doctors in a compromising position. Arguments that the general population
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People who suffer from addiction might be requesting a refill on narcotics that they no longer need. “‘We all agree that this [prescription drug abuse] is a difficult problem but trying to find that time to [communicate] is a challenge,’” (Hagemeier, para. 25, 2016). It becomes even more difficult to actually find time to address the issue of addiction with a patient when a request takes place over the phone. Something of that magnitude requires evidence to even make a viable accusation against the supposed addict. Allowing these patients (without proper vetting) to order prescriptions over the phone as if they are ordering take-out food is extremely risky. In other instances, patients may believe they still need to be taking prescriptions such as antibiotics when, truly, taking an excess of antibiotics can be severely harmful to the body. “Because the first antibiotic prescribed often fails, the patient has to try several; this adds some $100 million to 8200 million to the nation's health-care tab,” (“The End of Antibiotics, para. 4, 1994). At first glance, this seems to argue that an antibiotic prescription should be easily accessible over the phone because the first antibiotic often does not work. However, depending on symptoms, it is possible an antibiotic was not necessary to begin with. The reason antibiotics do not work the first time around is because bacteria …show more content…
In instances where a prescription needs to be refilled and the doctor does not meet with the patient directly, it is even more likely that the physician will consult a pharmacist before moving forward. The reason for doing so is simply how well pharmacists are educated to decide and understand the important things such as the dosage a patient should receive. “Pharmacists are qualified to enhance appropriate medication use and help improve patient outcomes through provision of medication therapy management (MTM) services. To optimally provide MTM, pharmacists must effectively collaborate with physicians,” (Hager, Keri D., 2015). In a situation when a physician and pharmacist want to provide the best possible patient care, they will work together. However, this can not only make a doctor liable for any negative side effects but also the pharmacist. “After assessing a patient’s drug-related needs, pharmacists may make recommendations for changes in prescription medications, including, but not limited to, a recommendation to initiate additional prescription medications, a change in the dose of a current medication, a medication to be discontinued, or additional medication monitoring,” (Hager, Keri D., 2015). Specifically a pharmacist will have the most accurate ability to decide if a patient should discontinue a
People who suffer from addiction might be requesting a refill on narcotics that they no longer need. “‘We all agree that this [prescription drug abuse] is a difficult problem but trying to find that time to [communicate] is a challenge,’” (Hagemeier, para. 25, 2016). It becomes even more difficult to actually find time to address the issue of addiction with a patient when a request takes place over the phone. Something of that magnitude requires evidence to even make a viable accusation against the supposed addict. Allowing these patients (without proper vetting) to order prescriptions over the phone as if they are ordering take-out food is extremely risky. In other instances, patients may believe they still need to be taking prescriptions such as antibiotics when, truly, taking an excess of antibiotics can be severely harmful to the body. “Because the first antibiotic prescribed often fails, the patient has to try several; this adds some $100 million to 8200 million to the nation's health-care tab,” (“The End of Antibiotics, para. 4, 1994). At first glance, this seems to argue that an antibiotic prescription should be easily accessible over the phone because the first antibiotic often does not work. However, depending on symptoms, it is possible an antibiotic was not necessary to begin with. The reason antibiotics do not work the first time around is because bacteria …show more content…
In instances where a prescription needs to be refilled and the doctor does not meet with the patient directly, it is even more likely that the physician will consult a pharmacist before moving forward. The reason for doing so is simply how well pharmacists are educated to decide and understand the important things such as the dosage a patient should receive. “Pharmacists are qualified to enhance appropriate medication use and help improve patient outcomes through provision of medication therapy management (MTM) services. To optimally provide MTM, pharmacists must effectively collaborate with physicians,” (Hager, Keri D., 2015). In a situation when a physician and pharmacist want to provide the best possible patient care, they will work together. However, this can not only make a doctor liable for any negative side effects but also the pharmacist. “After assessing a patient’s drug-related needs, pharmacists may make recommendations for changes in prescription medications, including, but not limited to, a recommendation to initiate additional prescription medications, a change in the dose of a current medication, a medication to be discontinued, or additional medication monitoring,” (Hager, Keri D., 2015). Specifically a pharmacist will have the most accurate ability to decide if a patient should discontinue a