alt Hacker News> This is a common thing doctors complain about. Patients come in, saying they just need a prescription for some drug or other.
Off topic, but this must be a USA-specific problem, where prescription drugs are actually marketed at Joe consumer. I think there is maybe one other country where this insane practice is allowed. Nowhere else are patients told to “Ask your doctor about Procrapin for your irritable bowl syndrome!!”
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While prescription drug marketing to consumers is an issue in the US, I think the actual problem in this situation is people Googling their issue then coming to the doctor with the conclusion of their investigation instead of letting the doctor do the investigation themselves.
It's not exclusive to the USA. Happens every single day here in Brazil too. Prescriptions expire, but people still need their medications, so they come in for routine consults. Good opportunity to reevaluate the patient and make adjustments if necessary.
I don't know in other countries, but in Spain you definitely don't go to the doctor asking for anything more complex than a paracetamol.
You tell the doctor your symptoms, he explores you and perform any tests considered appropriate, and the doctor decides the prescription.
> Procrapin
Perfect
While I'm sure the US has its quirks, this is not a US-only "problem" (not a health expert so I'm not sure if it's even a problem to begin with).
I live in Norway and have heard from lots of people (coworkers, friends, acquaintances) that doctors are very reluctant to prescribing anything at all - the running joke is that they'll advise you to "get some fresh air and go for a walk" even if you just broke your leg in half