Bill Overview
Title: Prescription Freedom Act of 2022
Description: This bill generally eliminates the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require that a drug be dispensed only with a prescription. However, the FDA may continue to require a prescription for any drug intended for terminating a pregnancy.
Sponsors: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals using prescription medication
Estimated Size: 3000000000
- The Prescription Freedom Act of 2022 affects how medications are dispensed, focusing globally on how drugs will be accessed without prescriptions.
- This could change how individuals access medications, potentially increasing access for some while raising safety concerns for others.
- According to IMS Health reports, there are over 4.5 billion prescriptions issued globally each year, indicating the global scale of medication usage.
Reasoning
- The Prescription Freedom Act of 2022 is designed to make medications more accessible by eliminating the need for prescriptions, except for drugs related to pregnancy termination. This policy could significantly impact a diverse range of individuals who rely on prescription medications, potentially increasing access but also raising concerns about misuse and safety.
- Given that there are over 4 billion prescriptions filled annually in the U.S., the impact could be widespread. However, the $70 million budget in the first year will focus efforts and limit its direct reach. Individuals likely to be impacted include those with chronic conditions requiring regular medication, those without consistent healthcare access, and younger adults who may take a more casual approach to medication use.
- The target population's size and nature suggest that only a portion of them will be directly affected by the policy initially. Important factors in predicting who will be impacted include access to healthcare providers, socioeconomic status, and self-management of health issues.
- As such, the interviews reflect a range of perspectives, including those who will not be affected by the policy due to stable healthcare access or personal choices, and those for whom easier drug access could be beneficial or detrimental.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about the safety implications of not having prescriptions as a mandatory step.
- Access to anxiety medication without a prescription could be convenient, but I worry about misuse and lack of professional guidance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Pharmacist (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a pharmacist, I think unrestricted access might lead to misuse and people not seeking proper medical advice.
- I fear that pharmacists will be overwhelmed with questions and potential errors will increase.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 6 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might help me get my medications more easily without seeing a doctor every time.
- I'm worried about responsibility to manage these medications by myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like the idea of getting migraine medications without needing a doctor's appointment.
- It could save time and hassle, but I'm not sure if it's safe to use without advice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Grad Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Removing prescriptions is great for me since seeing a doctor can be a hassle and expensive.
- I do worry about the long-term effects of this kind of change though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retired engineer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 74 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I trust my doctor to prescribe what's best.
- I'm wary of changing how medications are managed without medical oversight.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Nurse (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could lead to increased self-medication, and I'm particularly concerned about interactions people may not be aware of.
- There could be benefits, but healthcare professionals need to actively manage the transition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 7 |
Marketing Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't use prescriptions much anymore and don't see this policy affecting me.
- For those reliant on prescriptions, I hope it offers more positive than negative impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
School Teacher (Denver, CO)
Age: 57 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on my prescriptions to manage my diabetes carefully.
- Without doctor guidance, managing this on my own seems risky.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Visual Artist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I experiment with alternative therapies and occasionally need pain meds; this could make my life easier.
- I do worry about others misusing drugs, possibly affecting public health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $70000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $75000000 (Low: $54000000, High: $108000000)
Year 3: $80000000 (Low: $58000000, High: $116000000)
Year 5: $90000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $130000000)
Year 10: $110000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $160000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- The shift from prescription to over-the-counter access will necessitate robust public education campaigns to mitigate misuse and potential health risks.
- Evaluating the long-term impact on public health outcomes due to easier access to medications without prescriptions, including potential misuse or drug resistance.
- Consideration of how the policy might affect pharmaceutical innovation and the financial structure of drug approvals.