The Wall Street Journal has an article about the FDA plan to move certain drugs from prescription required to 'behind the counter'. I think that it's a great idea and probably overdue. Once safety is determined by widespread use and if there isn't any real potential for abuse, then there really isn't any reason not to do this.
By way of example, I used to use an albuterol inhaler for asthma. It worked well. The major side effects of albuterol are dry mouth and a chance of raised blood pressure. I really don't see any reason not to make it available without a prescription. It has no neat side effects and will only be used if it is really needed.
Likewise, I'm a type 2 diabetic. I medicate with Metformin and glipizide. These drugs provide absolutely no benefit for non-diabetics. If I am allowed to purchase them without a doctor's prescription, I can save the fee for visiting my doctor. Were I a doctor running a prescription mill, generating fees for writing scrips, then I would think it's a bad idea. As I am not, I think it's an idea whose time is come.
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Personally, I think that the whole 'behind the counter' concept is absurd. If you can buy it without a prescription, then leave it out.
That said, I believe that MOST drugs should be available without prescription. People just don't have a desire to abuse weird drugs.
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