TO say that doctors see themselves as demigods is completely ignorant. As a physician, I can tell you please feel free to treat yourself next time you have a serious illness. It takes several yrs of study (over 12) to be able to practice medicine. If it was easy then everybody would do it. Doctors do not partner with pharma companies to make money. Demigods>>> you watch too much ER or Greys anatomy. Becoming a doctor is more than just getting in to med school. Not every who makes it finishes. Why? because standards have to be maintained. Sub standard doctors lead to substandard care ie deaths. We have to deal with the possibility that one mistake could kill someone. I often review my decisions of the day at night worried...

To have pharmacists and nurse practioners provide some healthcare is like having pharmacy techs do what pharmacists do, or LPN's (2yrs of nursing school) do what NP's do? For that matter, have anyone with a pilots license fly a 747. There is a reason it takes 4 yr of college,4yrs of med school, and 3-7 years of residency/fellowship to be a doctor. The human body is more complicated than people realize. The simple things that people believe a pharmacist or NP can treat i.e. (common colds etc) usually can be treated with OTC remedies.
Also removing patents from drugs would be a disincentive for future drug developement for the fact that drug developement is costly and rarely successful. Mr Paulson's article has many good points. ...