In France pharmacists may prescribe drugs

It's one of the reasons they can keep health care costs down. However, that would never work in the US, because John Edwards would be ready to jump on the first Pahamacist who made an incorrect diagnosis and sue the pants off him/her.

America's society is a litigeous one, no doubt about it and this makes it difficult to function properly. But then again it does add safeguards. A doctor may be more qualified than a Pharmacist to identify illnesses.