http://healthin30.com/2009/07/prescription-drug-abuse-major-problem-in-the-us/ Always Speak. Ask. Know! Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://healthin30.com/2009/07/prescription-drug-abuse-major-problem-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-215 Bill Sat, 18 Jul 2009 11:01:06 +0000 http://healthin30.com/?p=1996#comment-215 Hey this is a very interesting article! Thanks! Hey this is a very interesting article! Thanks!

]]> http://healthin30.com/2009/07/prescription-drug-abuse-major-problem-in-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-211 Vandana Bhide Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:27:43 +0000 http://healthin30.com/?p=1996#comment-211 I agree wholeheartedly. Florida just passed a law to have better computer tracking of patients filling narcotic prescriptions from multiple doctors at multiple pharmacies. But I think the problem is more complex than imagined. AHCA also mandated pain as the fifth vital sign. So when do you know that a patient needs pain relief or is using the narcotic for euphoria. Some cases of "doctor shopping" are obvious. Now that I have an established practice that is not accepting new patients, it is less of a problem. I know my patients very well, and know the ones abusing vs. needed for pain. Chronic narcotic therapy is warranted in certain situations (and I am a hospice doctor) but must be documented very clearly and detailed in the office note. Equally difficult is use of amphetamines for ADD vs euphoria. Sometimes not as easy to tell as you would think. Just have to be VERY, VERY careful and assess the patient carefully and follow patient closely. My patients hate me because I make patients getting scheduled meds (including sleeping pills) so frequently. But again, it is MY responsibility to DO NO HARM. And finally, no matter how careful I am (and I am obsessive compulsive about prescriptions for schedule II and III medications) I am still shocked when I get a call from a pharmacist and I find out my DEA number has been used and my signature forged to get 100 Vicoden/Percocet/oxycontin (should ALWAYS be a red flag to a pharmacist!!!) Enjoyed the post. Vee Bhide, M.D. I agree wholeheartedly. Florida just passed a law to have better computer tracking of patients filling narcotic prescriptions from multiple doctors at multiple pharmacies. But I think the problem is more complex than imagined. AHCA also mandated pain as the fifth vital sign. So when do you know that a patient needs pain relief or is using the narcotic for euphoria. Some cases of “doctor shopping” are obvious. Now that I have an established practice that is not accepting new patients, it is less of a problem. I know my patients very well, and know the ones abusing vs. needed for pain. Chronic narcotic therapy is warranted in certain situations (and I am a hospice doctor) but must be documented very clearly and detailed in the office note. Equally difficult is use of amphetamines for ADD vs euphoria. Sometimes not as easy to tell as you would think. Just have to be VERY, VERY careful and assess the patient carefully and follow patient closely. My patients hate me because I make patients getting scheduled meds (including sleeping pills) so frequently. But again, it is MY responsibility to DO NO HARM. And finally, no matter how careful I am (and I am obsessive compulsive about prescriptions for schedule II and III medications) I am still shocked when I get a call from a pharmacist and I find out my DEA number has been used and my signature forged to get 100 Vicoden/Percocet/oxycontin (should ALWAYS be a red flag to a pharmacist!!!)
Enjoyed the post.
Vee Bhide, M.D.

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