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Re: OTC BCP's?
From: Claudia Twisdale RN (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 30 Jun 2000 17:59:16 -0500 (CDT)
Yup, I side with Dr Hill on this one. I do not think OCP is something
that should be OTC. Too many potentials for problems. (for example;
women buying pills OTC, and never going to MD for exam) After 13 years
of nursing, I too like Dr Hill am amazed at how people have no clue as
to how the body works. AND totally agree that some patients the only
way you get them in for pap and breast exam is to get their pills. Often
these are young girls that are not in safe relationships. It continues
to amaze me that many are still not using condoms on a regular basis.
Sorry, to me this is a no brainer.
At Fri, 30 Jun 2000, D. Ashley Hill, MD wrote:
>
>Regarding OTC OCPs:
>
>I have mixed feelings about this. I believe that a fundamental problem
>with our society is a lack of personal accountability. Rather than
>educate ourselves about the risk/benefit profiles that occur for life's
>various activities, many would prefer that the government legislate
>common sense and safety. Consumers should read the label, know their
>medical history, get Pap smears annually, drive safely, and wear their
>seatbelts. We should not need the government to force us to do this, or
>force women to go to a doctor to get an Rx for birth control.
>
>However....most readers here would be shocked to learn how misinformed
>about even basic biology and unconcerned about their health many
>patients are. I see patients on a weekly basis with giant scars from
>prior surgery, but they cannot tell me when they had the surgery, who
>did it, why it was done, and what procedure was done! I see
>well-educated patients who are flabbergasted when I teach them that
>there are "3 holes down there" and they do not urinate from their
>vagina. Patients who are unconcerned about their health report that
>they would "never" come in for a breast and ovary exam and Pap smear if
>they were not required to do so in order to get an Rx for birth control.
>Again, women should be concerned enough about their health go get Pap
>smears and exams, but many would not ever come in if they could get OTC
>birth control pills.
>
>Since there are *very few* women who cannot safely take OCPs, and since,
>for example, those over 35 who smoke heavily should be responsible
>enough to not take them, I don't see why OCPs should necessarily be
>prescription only. However, the number of lawsuits against OCP
>manufacturers will skyrocket as thousands of women over the age of 35
>who smoke 5 packs a day purchase OCPs. Currently doctors prevent this
>from happening, but we all know many heavy smokers will ignore the
>warning labels and buy them, yet turn around and sue the manufacturer
>when they develop a blood clot or stroke. Thus, we have safety,
>personal responsibility, and medical liability as the three most
>important factors surrounding OTC birth control pills. Until we resolve
>these issues it will be difficult to provide OTC birth control pills.
>
>--
>David Ashley Hill, MD
>Associate Director
>Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
>Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
>http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd
>
>My apologies, but due to time constraints I am unable to answer private e-mails.
>
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