A majority of people disagree with the new drug bill proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which would allow health-related professionals other than pharmacists to dispense drugs, saying that they have more confidence in pharmacists, according to an opinion survey conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted on Sept 3-4 on 1,250 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country to compiled their opinions on the FDA-proposed drug bill.
The new drug bill seeks to amend several points in the Drug Act of 1967. The contentious point is Section 2,1 which requires a drugstore to be manned by a qualified pharmacist throughout operating hours. The newly-proposed drug bill seeks to allow other individuals with medical knowledge to dispense drugs - and leave out the word "pharmacists" from the section.
A slight majority, 51.20%, said that would be bad, reasoning that people in other health-related fields do not have the required knowledge and skills to dispense drugs; 46.48% said it would be good, saying that the people would have more choices as other health-related professionals are not less capable and knowledgeable in this field than pharmacists; and 2.32% were uncertain or had no comment.
Asked whether they would have the same confidence in other health-related professionals as in pharmacists, 68.0% said "no"; 29.44% said "yes"; and, 2.56% were uncertain or had no comment.
Asked whether it would be acceptable to them if other health professionals are allowed to dispense drugs without being supervised by a pharmacist, 77.04% said "no"; 21.12% said "yes"; and 1.84% were uncertain or had no comment.