Doctors Are Stockpiling Trial Coronavirus Drugs

[applegrove]

Doctors Are Stockpiling Trial Coronavirus Drugs

March 24, 2020 at 11:55 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 151 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/24/doctors-are-stockpiling-trial-coronavirus-drugs/

"SNIP.....

“Doctors are hoarding medications touted as possible coronavirus treatments by writing prescriptions for themselves and family members, according to pharmacy boards in states across the country,” the New York Times reports.

“The stockpiling has become so worrisome in Idaho, Kentucky, Ohio, Nevada, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Texas that the boards in those states have issued emergency restrictions or guidelines on how the drugs can be dispensed at pharmacies. More states are expected to follow suit.”

.....SNIP"

[applegrove]

1. You can hardly blame them if they have to work without protective gear.

My mom was a doctor and my dad spent their first year of marriage with one virus or bug after another. She had built up immunity over time with her studies. He had not. Doctors are supposed to lead by example as my grandfather, a country doctor, did in rural Nova Scotia. He did not charge people who could not afford it. His wife ran a small farm to make ends meet. That is what doctors want to do. The fact that these doctors cannot lead is telling to how bad it is going to be.

[ribrepin]

5. Sadly I agree

If you can't get protective gear, I would do the same.

[tblue37]

2. Doctors aren't supposed to prescribe for themselves or their families, are they? My

daughter (a doctor) says they aren't supposed to.

[emmaverybo]

4. No. They can only do that in cases in which there is no other option and not for controlled drugs.

If the person they prescribe for can not reach a doctor, go to ER, then on a one-time basis and for a limited amount, people with prescribing powers can. These limitations are strictly enforced.

[tblue37]

6. That's what I thought. Thanks. nt

[Afromania]

3. When this is over pull their licenses. These aren't people you can trust to do right by their

patients.

[Tucker08087]

7. This is a medication that I have needed for 10 years.

Now it’s no longer in stock. The pharmacy is aware of how many of these pills are prescribed locally each month. This might explain the shortage. It’s not the greatest drug for preventing a viral infection, so my doctor suggested lowering the amount per day, and I am in excruciating pain and have neurological symptoms since lowering the dosage. Better than dead, since this is fairly short term, but very unfair for those who have used this medication for approved reasons to extend our lives and the quality of our lives.

[Ace Rothstein]

8. Same with my wife.

She was able to get one month yesterday instead of her usual 3 month refill.

[eleny]

9. My heart goes out to you

My husband also takes it. We've been worried about stock. I'll break the news to him so he can contact is pharmacy to see what's happening there.

[Tucker08087]

10. Good idea.

I think we need to contact them early so they can attempt to get the prescriptions in stock. I said earlier today that my pharmacist believes the government is stockpiling them. Normally, that would sound crazy. At this point, I don’t know what to believe.