Newswise — The creation of a new class of drugs could result in improved patient health by making certain medications that are now prescription only more conveniently available and by providing additional opportunities for tracking and monitoring the safety of drug products, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
"When appropriate, greater access to certain medications would be a tremendous benefit for individuals as well as offer immense gains in public health," said William A. Zellmer, M.P.H., ASHP Deputy Executive President. "Interactions with pharmacists, whose education and training uniquely qualify them to assess a patient and recommend appropriate medications, builds in important safety precautions."
The new class of drugs would also allow manufacturers and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assess the safety of moving such medications to even more widespread access as nonprescription products.
ASHP policy calls for the creation of an intermediate class of drugs and recommends that an evidence-based approach should be used to select drug products appropriate for this class of medications.
Zellmer will testify on behalf of the Society tomorrow during an FDA public meeting to gain stakeholder's input on the possible creation of the new drug class.
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