General Discussion

laundry_queen

(8,646 posts)

78. I'd like a hybrid system

Tue Jun 16, 2015, 12:15 AM

Jun 2015

Since there are many different types of pills for different reasons (progesterone only for breastfeeding women, triphasic, monophasic for people like me with hormone triggered migraines) I think initially a doctor's visit should be required. However, once it has been decided the right pill has been prescribed and is working well, I see no reason why one couldn't get it at the pharmacy OTC and have it continued to be covered by insurance since it was originally prescribed by a doctor. This would cut down on the whole go-back-every-6-months-for-a-new-script waste of time appointments (man, I hate those, have to take time off work and everything) and would avoid the whole rise in price with OTC meds. Well, I can dream, right?

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Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pills - Yea or Nay? [View all] qwlauren35 Jun 2015 OP

Since they would raise the cost for women, MineralMan Jun 2015 #1

Sorry, but please re-think a moment as you are wrong on all counts, MM. freshwest Jun 2015 #3

Actually qwlauren35 Jun 2015 #4

Most women with insurance, though, pay nothing. MineralMan Jun 2015 #6

The cost would definitely go up B2G Jun 2015 #8

Really? A drug becomes OTC, more companies make it SheilaT Jun 2015 #27

Even generic drugs are more expensive OTC B2G Jun 2015 #29

Actually, I have zero co-pay on my three prescriptions. SheilaT Jun 2015 #68

Yes, really. Sheldon Cooper Jun 2015 #70

Could a paraprofessional perform this function? KamaAina Jun 2015 #43

yes and they already do and have been doing for years... CTyankee Jun 2015 #60

Yes, we've been doing it for a long time. uppityperson Jun 2015 #64

This proposal means birth control pills would no longer be covered by insurance jeff47 Jun 2015 #53

Patty Murray, part of that contingent? I don't think so. cali Jun 2015 #11

I guess it's point of view. qwlauren35 Jun 2015 #17

I'm responding to MM who said that this proposal cali Jun 2015 #25

Really? Patty Murray? ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2015 #48

Your thinking is dead wrong. countryjake Jun 2015 #52

Does your insurance pay for over-the-counter Tylenol? jeff47 Jun 2015 #54

Have you ever been on a drug that has gone OTC? Warpy Jun 2015 #61

My prescriptions are all for a year. MineralMan Jun 2015 #63

No for OTC JustAnotherGen Jun 2015 #2

I would have similar thoughts about Depo. qwlauren35 Jun 2015 #7

When I got Depo JustAnotherGen Jun 2015 #14

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2015 #41

You are right there with me JustAnotherGen Jun 2015 #44

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2015 #45

Not sure about B.C. JustAnotherGen Jun 2015 #46

Good points. Welcome to DU!! (eom) StevieM Jun 2015 #50

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2015 #59

It means "end of message" A Little Weird Jun 2015 #62

I think most women should see a dr about contraception. Ilsa Jun 2015 #5

My youngest daughter had a mini stroke because she was taking bc. jwirr Jun 2015 #20

I had a mini stroke when taking bcp too gollygee Jun 2015 #55

Why just birth control? Other countries manage just fine handing out normal medications without JCMach1 Jun 2015 #9

That simple infection could be strep. jwirr Jun 2015 #19

Or a virus or something resistant to Antibiotix(tm) uppityperson Jun 2015 #65

When I was that sick, I went to the doc... JCMach1 Jun 2015 #71

I agree. I think at the most you should yeoman6987 Jun 2015 #21

What countries? It doesn't happen in this "other" country overseas Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #38

Most of the Middle-East, Africa... parts of Europe... JCMach1 Jun 2015 #72

Well, you're making shit up now. Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #75

you are dead wrong... birth control is freely and easily available in UAE and KSA JCMach1 Jun 2015 #76

The Sharia Law UAE? Where they imprison female rape victims for having sex outside of marriage? Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #79

Because that leads to antibiotic resistance. jeff47 Jun 2015 #56

That would be the overprescription by doctors and use in animals... not people taking it when needed JCMach1 Jun 2015 #73

:facepalm: jeff47 Jun 2015 #74

In Florida, actually you do need a prescription... JCMach1 Jun 2015 #77

Another Pro - The Problem with Doctor Visits qwlauren35 Jun 2015 #10

That was my thought too JustAnotherGen Jun 2015 #15

I wonder how many of them had to get their doctors to say that the patient was taking them for some raccoon Jun 2015 #39

Shouldn't the FDA be deciding this according to their normal criteria? Nye Bevan Jun 2015 #12

Sounds like a good solution to me. n/t Calista241 Jun 2015 #16

What ever it takes to get birth control in the hands of those who want them is fine by me madokie Jun 2015 #13

Nay. If they are over the counter then medical assistance will not pay for them like they do not jwirr Jun 2015 #18

Allegra, a medicine used for allergies, Snobblevitch Jun 2015 #22

I'm in the Yea column Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #23

Could you tell me more aboug Pharmacist training? qwlauren35 Jun 2015 #31

I actually just have this article up in my browser tab! Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #33

I am encouraged. qwlauren35 Jun 2015 #34

There's a great FAQ at this website too: Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #36

I don't know enough about the issue, however, points to consider for me is as follows: Xyzse Jun 2015 #24

Yes kcr Jun 2015 #26

One of the important things that happens Lilyhoney Jun 2015 #28

And a pap smear B2G Jun 2015 #30

Most women do not need yearly pap smear. uppityperson Jun 2015 #66

it is my understanding the pill remains a substance where one size does NOT fit all dembotoz Jun 2015 #32

OTC birth control pills are a bad idea meow2u3 Jun 2015 #35

Bad idea. Not a one size fits all product. Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #37

For those arguing for cost savings, a doctor visit costs me $7.50 in the EU Pooka Fey Jun 2015 #40

Common sense tells me nay, but . . . Vinca Jun 2015 #42

Nay. OTC doctors, not OTC pills. LadyHawkAZ Jun 2015 #47

Wouldn't a "consult your doctor before using" warning cover that? ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2015 #49

Why not have it both ways? bunnies Jun 2015 #51

Seems like a call I'd want the physician to make treestar Jun 2015 #57

This is a way to get birth control stripped from insurance coverage. jeff47 Jun 2015 #58

I think a combination Puzzledtraveller Jun 2015 #67

Actually qwlauren35 Jun 2015 #69

I'd like a hybrid system laundry_queen Jun 2015 #78