Have you ever tried to buy Viagra or Cialis online without a prescription? You may have heard that Canadian pharmacies allow you to purchase medication without a prescription, but that is not entirely true. In fact, Canadian pharmacies only provide instructions on how to take a drug – they do not prescribe it for you. While it is legal for Canadians to purchase medication without a prescription, it is still against the law to re-sale or distribute them without a prescription.
Many Canadians, especially those who live in rural areas, believe that getting a prescription from a family physician is not necessary. After all, they may argue, their family doctor knows them and their health history, and knows how they will react to medication. While this may be true in some circumstances, it is not always the case. Many Canadian doctors do not prescribe Viagra or Cialis because they fear being prosecuted by the authorities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “the spread of antimicrobial resistance will undermine modern medicine and cause great suffering to millions of people around the world.” The organization continues by stating that “the global crisis of antibiotic resistance requires a unified approach that goes far beyond health care… Businesses and governments must work together to cut unnecessary use of antibiotics in animal feed and limit its spread.”
In order to combat this alarming trend and preserve the effectiveness of existing medications, WHO has called for specific guidelines and policy changes designed to combat the spread of resistant organisms.
In Canada, the prescription drug industry made a submission to the Standing Committee on Health suggesting that the government consider implementing policies to reduce the overuse of antibiotics and prevent the development of resistant strains.
What is the Risk of Antibiotic Resistance?
You may be familiar with the term ‘superbug’ when it comes to referring to bacteria that has developed a resistance to conventional medications. These are also known as ‘ESCAPE BUGS’ because they develop resistance to almost all available antibiotics. Superbugs are a global health and economic concern and have been responsible for many deaths. It is considered to be one of the major health-related problems of our time.
The overuse of antibiotics is also thought to be responsible for the development of ‘CREATE BUGS’ – bacteria that are specifically designed to be resistant to antibiotics and, as a result, pose a significant threat to human health. Some experts estimate that there are now more than 500 known strains of CREATE BUGS present in nature. The overuse of antibiotics has created the ideal conditions for the spread of dangerous bacteria.
Why is Antibiotic Resistance a Global Issue?
The overuse of antibiotics has been a significant factor in the development of antibiotic resistance. However, the problem is not limited to their overuse; many experts also believe that the abuse of antibiotics in farming has helped contribute to this global health issue. Let’s take a closer look at how farming plays a role in the development of antibiotic resistance:
- In some countries like the U.S., livestock production is becoming increasingly intensive. The more animals an area of land can feed, the more it is valued and can be profitable. This trend has led to a significant expansion of livestock farming and to the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed.
- Antibiotics are also commonly used in aquaculture (farming fish) to promote growth. Fish are one of the major food sources in many countries, and aquaculture has been growing at an astonishing rate. Unfortunately, however, it has also led to the overuse of antibiotics in fish farms.
- Farming is also thought to be responsible for the emergence of ‘superbugs’ that are immune to antibiotics. Experts believe that these superbugs may have originally come from humans and were transferred to livestock via feed or water. The overuse of antibiotics in livestock has likely contributed to the development of superbugs, making them harder to treat and more dangerous.
The World Health Organization is clearly concerned about the development of antibiotic resistance and has taken the issue seriously by calling for specific guidelines and policy changes. In order to preserve the effectiveness of existing medications and combat the spread of antibiotic resistance, the organization has called for specific guidelines and policy changes designed to reduce the overuse of antibiotics and prevent the development of resistant strains. Some of these guidelines and policy changes may include
- Banning the use of antibiotics for non-human purposes
- Increasing the rate of research & development for new medications
- Increasing the price of certain medications
- Livestock & Fish farming – Changing the way animals are raised may help reduce the prevalence of resistant strains.
In some cases, doctors may not have the time to get to know their patients as well as they should, especially since many family doctors have adopted a ‘one-stop-shop’ approach, taking on numerous patients while also trying to maintain a full-time job. Additionally, many doctors feel that they have too much on their plates already, especially since patients are constantly coming in with new health concerns. These concerns may be symptoms of a chronic disease that the doctor has not properly diagnosed yet. In such cases, it may be difficult for the doctor to determine whether or not to prescribe medication. If you are concerned about the possibility of your doctor not wanting to prescribe you medication because of the risk of antibiotic resistance, you should feel free to seek out a new family physician.
How Can You Tell If Your Doctor is Abused Drugs?
It is well known that some doctors may prescribe medication for financial reasons or as a way to get high. The practice of ‘doctor-shopping’ (visiting multiple physicians to get a desired medication) is also common among those who have been abused drugs. This is usually because they do not want to pay the full price for a medication that he/she thinks they can get for less money somewhere else. While this may occur in a few isolated cases, it is not typical behavior for a well-respected doctor to prescribe medication without a valid medical reason.
There are, however, multiple signs that your doctor may be abusing drugs or alcohol. If you notice that your doctor is acting in an unusual manner or behaves in a way that is inconsistent with the doctor-patient relationship, you should feel free to ask questions or say something to the staff. Another red flag is if your doctor starts to charge you for visits that should be covered by medical insurance. If your doctor starts to charge you for examinations, lab tests or treatment, it may be a sign that he or she is trying to up-sale those services and is more interested in making money than providing quality health care.
If you think that your doctor is abusing prescription drugs or alcohol, it may be a good idea to look for a new doctor. Doctors can become ‘addicts’ to certain medications and may start to feel that their daily dose is necessary in order to function. This can lead them to start selling drugs and prescribing alcohol even when it is not medically necessary.
Whether or not your doctor will prescribe you a medication that you want or need is not a valid question. The only question that you should be asking is: “Does my doctor have a medical reason for wanting to prescribe this medication?” If you are unable to provide a valid medical reason for wanting a medication, your doctor may not want to prescribe it for you.
With some careful planning and strategizing, you can help ensure that you get the most out of your doctor-patient relationship. Make sure that you are comfortable with your doctor’s approach to health issues and that you feel like he or she is doing everything possible to help you. If you can, try to go to the same physician throughout your entire life, as continuity of care is an important factor in maintaining healthy habits. If, however, you are looking for a new doctor and want to choose one who is a family physician, make sure to select one who is familiar with your health history and who will not be offended by questions about your medications or alcohol usage.