Definition
Prescription drugs are a group of drugs that may be obtained from a pharmacy only with a doctor’s prescription. The prescription is usually issued during a consultation. Within this group, different dispensing categories exist in many countries. The presence of a doctor’s prescription is often a condition for the health insurance company to reimburse a drug.
Why do medications require a prescription?
First, to prevent patients from becoming dependent and addicted. Psychoactive agents such as narcotics – for example, opioids or benzodiazepines – are often abused as intoxicants and are addictive. For this reason, they are not freely available. Before initiating therapy, medical clarifications are necessary, for example, taking the patient’s history, blood tests and a clarification of the risks (contraindications). Many drugs require a correct diagnosis so that they can be used appropriately. The patient often does not have the necessary resources to make a correct self-diagnosis. Choosing the right drug requires specialized knowledge and sufficient experience. Patients usually do not bring this with them either. In addition to diagnosis, therapy monitoring is also important. For example, liver values must be checked regularly during treatment with bosentan, which is administered to treat pulmonary hypertension. Patients should be protected from adverse effects by limiting the duration of therapy under medical supervision. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a group of anti-inflammatory pain relievers, should not be taken for long periods of time. Some agents are toxic or harmful to fertility during pregnancy. The use of medicines can be complicated. This is true, for example, of infusions or toxic cytostatic drugs that must be freshly prepared before injection. When several drugs are administered, there is a risk of drug interactions, which in the worst case can result in severe side effects. Clarifying the interactions is the responsibility of the doctor and the pharmacist. They also explain the correct application, which is a decisive factor in the success or failure of a therapy. Finally, the protection of third parties is also important. Toxic agents, such as the barbiturate pentobarbital or the depressant GHB, could be misused to poison someone.
