The economic crisis in Lebanon has intensified with the significant collapse of the lira and the rising dollar, reaching the doors of hospitals that have had to raise their prices to keep up with the fluctuating dollar. The main victim is the citizen, who has reached a point where securing basic necessities has become difficult. Thus, they have turned to pharmacists instead of specialized doctors to alleviate the financial burden.
However, did these citizens realize the risks of seeking treatment from a "pharmacist" instead of visiting a doctor for necessary treatment? In this context, former head of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr. Assem Araji, emphasized to “Akhbar Alyawm” agency the dangers of pharmacists prescribing medication to any citizen. He added, "No pharmacist has the right to give medication to a patient; only doctors are authorized to do so." He continued, "Due to the economic conditions, people have started resorting to unhealthy and medically unacceptable methods, clarifying that a pharmacist is unable to diagnose an illness and may prescribe medication that interacts adversely with another medication the citizen is taking. For example, if someone is taking a blood thinner and the pharmacist prescribes another drug for pain, this could increase bleeding and pose a risk to the citizen's health, while the doctor monitors the patient's health based on medical tests."
However, with rising costs and the citizen’s inability to pay substantial amounts for hospitals or doctors, what is the alternative? Araji pointed out here that "the only alternative to hospitals is to visit health centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health where doctors are available, and in case of any problem, the doctor bears full responsibility."
On another note, what medications can pharmacists prescribe to citizens without needing to consult a doctor? Here, pharmacist Mona Ashi explained to “Akhbar Alyawm” that "pharmacists have the full right to prescribe simple medications that do not interact with other drugs, such as paracetamol and dietary supplements." However, for chronic disease medications like blood pressure and diabetes, pharmacists cannot dispense them without medical consultation. She elaborated that "these medications require a diagnosis from a specialist physician, and a pharmacist cannot and does not have the right to diagnose."
Ashi added that "a pharmacist can only prescribe a certain medication in one case, which is when the patient's file is available and they are monitoring that patient's health condition based on their file."
In conclusion, the citizen is the most affected, as they are faced with limited options, making healthcare a heavy burden that drives them to seek alternatives that may jeopardize their health.
The question remains: Are the health centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health truly qualified to be an alternative to hospitals? And to what extent?
