Chair of FDA doesn't think prescriptions should be required for medicine

[Takket]

Makary: "Why are medications prescription only? If you think about it, if a medication is safe, doesn't require laboratory test monitoring & can't be used in some nefarious way, why do we require a prescription? Most of the world does not do that. There's something magical about price transparency."

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-01-18T15:12:26.412Z

We are being driven off a cliff by the dumbest people on Earth.

[lostincalifornia]

1. It is worse then dumb, they are killing people.

[milestogo]

2. Because drugs are never used in nefarious ways.

[Grins]

3. And he's an MD!!!! NM.

[dutch777]

4. More illogical and magical thinking. Sure, people will always do the right thing on their own.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. Let's put the Coca back in Coca-Cola. NT

[Aristus]

6. Fuck.

As if I didn’t have enough trouble with patients taking over-the-counter medications they don’t need. I can’t even imagine the damage caused by people deciding for themselves to take prescription medications they don’t need and can cause harm.

[Rowdyag]

11. Yup..MRSA on steroids

What could go wrong with me getting hypertension meds or opioids 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[Mossfern]

14. Well .....

at least I wouldn't need to be tested regularly in order to receive my opioids for chronic pain.... but then again the pharmacy would always be short of stock There are medications that I take where it would be more convenient to not need a prescription - but then again I get regular check ups. Many of my medications could be deadly for other people.

Maybe this policy should only be for MAGAts?

[dalton99a]

7. NEXT: Trump issues executive order to close all medical schools.

Dr. Google and a credit card will give you all the medicine you need

[JCMach1]

8. No issues with a whole host of safe medications

As long as pharmacy is involved.

This is actually normal in a big part of the world. Why do need to waste health resources (doctor's appointment) for your nail fungus medication?

One huge thing I hated about moving back as an expat. It annoys me so much, I still order my contact lenses from outside the US and only go to an Optometrist/Opthalmologist when i actually need to go.

[AllyCat]

9. Any medication can be used incorrectly.

That said, many meds can be purchased in apothecaries in other countries without a prescription. I don’t think Americans are necessarily smart enough to understand how to use these things correctly (as a group).

[Disaffected]

10. Good grief - does the idiocy have no bottom?

I can see it now - hordes of fools chugging antibiotics every time they get a sniffle and we have antibiotic resistance on steroids.

More hordes overdosing because they have no idea what a safe dose would be.

How many other issues??

[NotHardly]

12. Short Answer: No

[Disaffected]

15. And the quacks would be ecstatic.

Free access to any drugs for selling to the rubes. Advertisers would love it too:

"Ask Facebook if imutabhydroxyquinezolatronmethoflourate is right for you".

[HAB911]

13. Thin the herd

no problem at all

[Coventina]

16. Great! Give me my opiods!!!