In California, it is being proposed to allow pharmacists to not only diagnose people, but also prescribe some medical treatments, with the aim of expanding access to health care.
This is bill SB-524, proposed by Senator Ana Caballero and which was presented in the legislature.
The measure, if approved, would only apply to certain common medical conditions for which there are specific diagnoses and treatments, including influenza, COVID-19, strep throat, pink eye, and some sexually transmitted diseases.
“Many people who don’t have the time to visit a doctor,” said Karen Lemus, who supports the project.
However, there are those who disagree with the measure.
“No, because he is a pharmacist, that is, he is not a general practitioner, who can tell you if you are going to ingest this well, that you will like it, a pharmacist will not know what condition you really have,” said Brian Josue Parra, is opposed to the idea.
Nine out of ten Californians live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, so the proposal seeks to take advantage of this.
“We really think this creates equity in access to health care, at a time when we also know that doctors are lacking in many communities. Also, pharmacists are trained professionals and more training would be required if the bill passes,” explained Rachelle Michelin, spokesperson for the California Community Pharmacy Coalition.
Michelin added that another benefit is that rapid access to treatment would control the spread of diseases or viruses.
The project has already been approved in a first committee and will return to a vote on April 26.
