To cut healthcare costs, give U.S. pharmacists more authority

I'm not a pharmacist.

I love reading package inserts (those little white, fine print leaflets which come in the box of your medicine) but that's part of my day job.  I'm supposed to get excited by that kind of stuff.

But because of the business I'm in, I do have pharmacist friends.  And they're smart.  Really smart.  Not just the kind of smart which let's them win Trivial Pursuit (which they usually do anyway).  But the kind of smart which makes you kind of step back with a bit of awe and a whole lot of respect.  These people need to know stuff. 

And they do.  They understand anatomy and physiology.  They have magnificent minds for detail.  They understand the complex enzymatic systems which help us to metabolize and clear all the junk out of our body.  They have to understand diseases and conditions.  They cannot afford to just specialize in one area.

So the million dollar question is this:  Why don't they have more authority?

For those of you living in the United States, you know what I mean.  Pharmacists seem to be overworked pill counters...and they may get called upon to answer the occasional question about which over-the-counter decongestant is best for your kid.  But that's it.  Honestly I don't believe I've ever benefited from the full scope of knowledge these folks bring to the table.  Here's how it always worked for me:  I went to the doctor, the doctor prescribed my medicine, I handed the white prescription paper to the pharmacy clerk, and 2 hours later (if I was very lucky) I could go pick it up.

Living in Switzerland, here's how my routine has changed.  First, many times, I don't even need to start with the doctor.  Today, after a really long cough, sputter, choke, cry, cough cough cough night with my daughter, I simply went directly to the pharmacy this morning.  I walked right up to the counter (no lines) and described my daughter's symptoms, her age, and her weight.  She asked me a couple of clarifying questions (does she have fever, and how long did she have the cough?) and then promptly produced two cough syrups.  These were not your run of the mill do-nothing cough syrups.  They were both highly effective brews (one for day and one for night) that have put an immediate halt to the hacking.

What was saved:  time and money.  I didn't  have to make an appointment with the pediatrician, possibly having to wait until Monday to be seen, I didn't have to stand in a line, and my kid got what she needed immediately.  I didn't pay for an office visit, I didn't jam up an already jammed up winter waiting room--filled with, no doubt, more coughers and hackers.  I payed about $35 for two extremely effective products.  That was it.

Pharmacists in Europe are given quite a bit more authority than their brethren in the United States, which creates a winning situation for everyone.  My health care insurance just avoided having to pay for a needless office visit, and I got what I needed stat.  I even think my insurer may even reimburse me for this--I'll have to find out. 

No matter, because as I peck away at the keyboard, I hear the sweet sound of silence in the background.  She's sleeping like a baby once again. 

Best $35 I've spent in a long time.