I’m not I agree. The first reason is that many medications carry significant risks. For instance you mention insulin. For someone already prescribed insulin, yes it should be easy to access in case they should be able to get more (and that is the purpose of a repeat prescription). However, to provide insulin over the counter to someone never previously prescribed it could be incredibly dangerous, and indeed fatal. This is Similarly true for some cardiac medication.
Second, i think such a system makes pharmacists de facto community doctors, but without the time, training, or patient medical data to function correctly. Community doctors can make better decisions when they see the same patient multiple times, and have access to blood pressure readings, a list of other medical conditions etc. Buying over the counter makes a lot of this difficult and inefficient.
Third, I think it leads to a risk of encouraging patients to manage conditions without valid medical advice. For instance, depression is often treated best with psychotherapy. By buying antidepressives OTC, it prevents patients getting the holistic care needed. Similarly, patients may follow quack medical advice and do themselves significant injury by taking medications not needed (in the short term or long term).
Ultimately doctors offer a lot of value more than just prescribing medication, and often medicines need oversight to ensure the benefits outweigh the risk.
Second, i think such a system makes pharmacists de facto community doctors, but without the time, training, or patient medical data to function correctly. Community doctors can make better decisions when they see the same patient multiple times, and have access to blood pressure readings, a list of other medical conditions etc. Buying over the counter makes a lot of this difficult and inefficient.
Third, I think it leads to a risk of encouraging patients to manage conditions without valid medical advice. For instance, depression is often treated best with psychotherapy. By buying antidepressives OTC, it prevents patients getting the holistic care needed. Similarly, patients may follow quack medical advice and do themselves significant injury by taking medications not needed (in the short term or long term).
Ultimately doctors offer a lot of value more than just prescribing medication, and often medicines need oversight to ensure the benefits outweigh the risk.