[Devil_Anse]

If reading the literature is all it takes for the consumer to know all about a prescription drug, including risks from side effects, why have it be restricted to prescription-only? Who needs the doctor? The store just can sell the drug, accompanied by the "literature", directly to the consumer. Cut out the middle man.

[smith288]

The literature is for the patient to look over when a Dr uses his expertise to recommend any prescription that would otherwise not be easily available.

A Dr did his part if literature was given when the prescription was made. Literature and the dr handing it out goes hand in hand. Patient doesnt read it, then its the patients fault.