4 ms·
This is a very complicated issue. I don't know laws/regulatory system in the UK, but in the States the FDA has to approve a medication for a specific indication
by Shinkei 12y ago
This is a very complicated issue. I don't know laws/regulatory system in the UK, but in the States the FDA has to approve a medication for a specific indication. So if later people discover X drug is great for unapproved Y condition, then doctors have to prescribe it 'off-label.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-label_use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off-label_use
I don't know to what extent manufacturers can limit prescribing their branded drugs for off-label use. I feel like if I wrote a Rx for any drug for any indication, it would get filled without hassle... although if it was really outlandish, the Pharmacist would probably give me a call.
Source: I'm a doctor.
- lotsofmangos 12y agoThis isn't off-label use though. This is where the drug has been specifically approved for that use. Pfizer here are not trying to limit prescribing their branded drugs for off-label use, they are trying to restrict the available uses of products that are legally supplied to the NHS by other companies.
- UrMomReadsHN 12y agoI don't think the pharmacy knows your diagnosis when you fill a prescription. It isn't written on the prescription. You can in fact run into problems with the insurance company if the treatment is extremely expensive.