NCPA President Steve Giroux To Speak At FDA Behind The Counter Hearing

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Also Included In: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 14 Nov 2007 - 11:00 PDT

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NCPA President Steve Giroux will present community pharmacy's case for a behind-the-counter (BTC) drug category between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) at a Food and Drug Administration hearing on November 14.

"NCPA strongly supports BTC because it will increase patient access, reduce healthcare costs, increase interaction between the patient and pharmacists and have an overall positive impact on healthcare," said Giroux. "Transitioning some drugs to BTC status will offer patients a readily available, cost effective means for treatment, reducing the severity of illnesses and increasing workforce productivity by decreasing sick time."

A recent survey of NCPA members found that pharmacists regard the dispensing of BTC drugs as a natural extension of pharmacy practice and are overwhelmingly positive about their willingness to take on this role. Furthermore, a successful BTC effort will recognize the potential of the pharmacy profession - men and women who are extensively trained and educated in all aspects of medication - to participate in patient care and decrease medication misadventures.

On September 25, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a public meeting to obtain comments regarding behind-the-counter (BTC) availability of drugs. Currently, drugs are available as prescription and non-prescription. Generally, non-prescription products are available in an "over-the-counter" (OTC) manner. The FDA is interested in obtaining public comment as it explores the public health benefit of certain drugs being available without a prescription but only after intervention by a pharmacist. The purpose of the meeting is to solicit information and views from interested persons on specific issues associated with BTC availability, including the impact on patient access to safe and effective drug products.

Some variation of BTC status is already in effect in other countries, including Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, United Kingdom (UK), Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, the FDA says. Generally, the drugs are available without a prescription, but require some interaction with a pharmacist before dispensing.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents the nation's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 pharmacies. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains represent an $84 billion marketplace, employ over 300,000 employees and dispense nearly half of the nation's retail prescription medicines.

National Community Pharmacists Association