I think if anything this would slightly lower insurance premiums, since insurance generally doesn't cover nonprescription medications. As for the effect on pha

I think if anything this would slightly lower insurance premiums, since insurance generally doesn't cover nonprescription medications. As for the effect on pharmaceutical companies, it could go either way. On one hand, it makes it much easier for customers to buy them. On the other, the customer is paying for it out of pocket, and the price is right there on the box. If there are multiple drugs that treat the same condition, customers will take into account price when choosing which one to buy, and so you'll start to see the effects of a free market encouraging competition and driving down prices. Of course, if there isn't any competition for that drug category they can make the price whatever they want and the poor will wind up screwed.