Private MD News

FDA considers making prescription drugs more widely available

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

For individuals who have received unhealthy cholesterol test results, it may soon become easier to get the medications they need to treat their condition. The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it is considering making a number of common prescriptions available over the counter.

The agency recently published a notice about a public hearing it has scheduled to discuss the matter. In the statement, FDA officials say that many people who have chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease do not acquire the medications they need to treat their condition because doing so requires multiple visits to the doctor and the pharmacy.

However, if more drugs were available over the counter, there is a better chance that people with potentially serious chronic health problems would take the medications they need.

The move is only being considered for medications that have a proven history of safety and efficacy and that have little chance of abuse.

The proposal could make a little easier for individuals who have received unhealthy cholesterol test results. While high cholesterol can be a serious cardiovascular risk factor, the condition can be treated relatively easily with medications.