579 thanks for that inside scoop, its fortunate Joe and Pete will not have to pay the $7 'Medicare Tax' when seeking GP assistance. Otherwise they would have to go to a state hospital emergency department and wait 16 hours for help! This latest revelation is terrible, I am appalled. Have either been hospitalised? Plese tell us more.

Dear Poirot,

<<Do you believe that people with no training in the areas of medicine and pharmacology should go about willy-nilly prescribing their own medication?>>

I definitely believe that nobody has a right to forbid others to get their own medication.

Individuals should not be denied the freedom to poison themselves - although my intention was more in line of providing alternatives.

Whether they have training or otherwise (and whether or not you approve of that training) is nobody else's business - however, if they don't have the training, they still have many avenues for advice - including the pharmacist, including overseas doctors (the video-service is already available over the web), including friends and family member who studied medicine but perhaps didn't fully qualify; or have retired; or are interstate or not in Australia; or are banned by the AMA because they practice alternative medicine; or simply do not agree to part of the established system. Then of course there are the repeat-medications which you already mentioned.

question for Robert LePage - did you repay the debt you skipped out on, or did you just take advantage of the doctor who extended his services trusting you would eventually pay him?

Yuyutsu,

You first state...

"Why for example shouldn't an adult be able to prescribe their own medicines (unsubsidised, it's not my intention to open the gate wide for mass theft of public funds)? Besides the doctor's fee, what an anguish and time wasting it is, with some people even foregoing their medication because they can't get an appointment or find the time for it."

So your call for people to be able to prescribe their own "medication" is linked to those medications prescribed by trained medicos.

Now you flippantly say...

"I definitely believe that nobody has a right to forbid others to get their own medication.

Individuals should not be denied the freedom to poison themselves - although my intention was more in line of providing alternatives."

So by "alternatives" - you seem to be alluding to those traditional or otherwise non-pharmaceutical remedies.

Okay!

That's far cry from the meaning you delivered earlier.

As far as not denying people the right to poison themselves.

I know you view the human state as rather nebulous, but people usually seek medical assistance with a view to alleviating their suffering. Often in the modern world, that is achieved best by approaching someone who has knowledge on the subject of their problem.

So we might be in a transient state, consisting of atoms and whatnot that will migrate to other forms when we cease living...but under the circs, most people prefer not to suffer if it can be avoided.

Hence, poisoning themselves out of ignorance is usually not really a goer.

Dear Poirot,

I was not suggesting or recommending that one SHOULD poison oneself, certainly not out of ignorance. This can be remedied for example by the pharmacist ascertaining the genuineness of the intent, that it is not a mistake, by asking the person: "Do you understand what this drug does and what dosage is recommended?".

I was referring to BOTH conventional and non-conventional medicines.

By "alternatives" I also included non-Australian or remote doctors that provide their service over the internet. As another alternative, in most cases of common illnesses the pharmacist also has much experience and can provide adequate advice themselves (including "I suggest you see a doctor" if they aren't sure).

Are you aware that some people who studied medicine are banned by the AMA from practising it because they practice alternative medicine? Some of them would have wanted to mix and practice BOTH conventional and traditional medicine as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, but are legally prevented because the AMA Mafia has complete hold over government.

Nothing of course is to stop those who seek medical assistance from seeing a medical doctor with a view to alleviate their suffering - this should always remain an option for anyone who wants it.

Best we don’t have witch doctor medication. Stick with scientifically proven substances. People have come unstuck by their beliefs in alternative medication.
Your dislike of the AMA, because they don’t believe in alternate medication, well maybe they believe in people not doing harm or nothing at all to themselves with unproven medications.
In any case there has got to be regulation to safeguard against tribal practices. As with anything where humans are involved.