FDA considering expanding role of pharmacists and reducing role of physicians…really?

It appears the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) is seriously considering new regulations that would expand the role of pharmacists, while reducing the role of physicians, in the management and prescription of patients’ medications for chronic conditions, such as asthma.  As you can imagine, this is being seriously questioned by the AMA and other physician and patient advocacy groups.

I imagine that pharmacists and pharmacies might think this a good idea — until their insurance premiums escalate due to a anticipated increase in malpractice cases against them as they assume the role of ‘gatekeeper’ of patients’ chronic medical conditions.

Obviously the FDA has not made any final decisions in this regard.  Hopefully, they will realize that a patient’s primary care physician must remain in the role of gatekeeper; not to save costs but to ensure continuity of care and patient safety.