# E-DRUG: Dispensing Doctors **URL:** \ **Category:** e-drug\ **Created:** [October 4, 1999, 3:51pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-dispensing-doctors/6210 "1999-10-04T15:51:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jwfvmil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jwfvmil](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/jwfvmil)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 1999, 3:51pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-dispensing-doctors/6210/1 "1999-10-04T15:51:10Z")
E-DRUG: Dispensing Doctors (cont) -------------------------- > If you erect a good argument for the importance of pharmacists between > the prescriber and the patient, how will you defend OTC prescribing? OTC 'prescibing' is basically only meant for minor self-limiting diseases and I usually find the terminology confusing. OTC-counselling might be more appropriate, because not every consultation will and should end in a dispensing act. The skills for assessing the severity of presented symptoms are being taught in most schools of pharmacy and also, in most countries, there are guidelines for pharmacists indicating when to refer if a patient presents with a minor, self limiting disease or ailment. However, the role of pharmasists in the diagnosing process may differ according to the evailablility of both medical and pharmaceutical professionals in a country or region. Therefore it is to be expected that those roles shift, depending on the amount of 'medical coverage' and the role of pharmacists can be more outspoken in outback areas where little medical help is available, but more pharmacies. Reversely one can see dispensing activities by doctors, when no pharmacy/pharmacist is present. Foppe Foppe van Mil, Pharm D. Community pharmacist and researcher Margrietlaan 1, NL 9471 CT Zuidlaren, The Netherlands Tel: +31 50 4094333. Fax +31 50 4090732. Email: jwfvmil@wxs.nl    -- Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'. Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'. For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.