Pharmacies make a move for control and cash

Pharmaceutical companies were given a huge advantage in the asthma market to push OTC asthma medications off the shelves. The FDA stated the OTC asthma inhalers would no longer be sold - they are now considered dangerous - and all inhalers must be by prescription. The OTC inhales cost around $20 - the prescription inhalers cost around $60 to $80 plus the cost of a medical visit and any tests the doctor/nurse/PA may order. As the pharmacies agrued in front of congress last week for the approval of a large pharmaceutical merger, it is clear the pharmacies, as they attempt to have more say in medical care by assuming some clinic responsibilities, are also trying to sharply increase corporate profits at the expense of those who can least pay the inflated prices and are just struggling to live. The merger, if it goes through, will also push out smaller pharmacies, who may be ensuring the contaminated meds from abroad do not reach American consumers, and give large corporate pharmacies access to almost everybody's medical information.