Exactly. The medical profession is based on a ubiquitous form of elitism protected by knowledge hoarding (expensive journals and inaccessible language) and appr

Exactly. The medical profession is based on a ubiquitous form of elitism protected by knowledge hoarding (expensive journals and inaccessible language) and approvals (regulatory, appointments, and prescriptions) for routine, on-going condition maintenance. While there are laudable ostensible and obvious reasons for having clinicians periodically overseeing aspects, you don't need a clinician for a paper cut or every single purchase of lifelong maintenance supplies and equipment necessary or optional. I guess the thing is that in countries where there is universal healthcare, gating is necessary to contain costs for patients who don't have a medical need. In countries without universal healthcare, the downside of prescription->OTC is shifting costs onto the patients where insurance may not cover them.