From the article:
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is not trying to limit or ration access to opioid painkillers, according to a DEA spokesman who says “nothing should stand in the way” of a patient getting a legitimate prescription for pain medication filled.
“We’re not doctors. We’re regulators and enforcers of the law. If something is prescribed for a legitimate medical purpose, we’re certainly not going to get in the way,” said DEA spokesman Rusty Payne.
In case someone reading my blog.. has not figured out that I am a very strong/vocal chronic pain advocate.. let me make it crystal clear I AM A VERY STRONG/VOCAL CHRONIC PAIN ADVOCATE !
IMO.. this statement by a DEA spokesperson… has opened up a whole can of worms for doctors, pharmacy/Pharmacists/wholesalers.
For those healthcare professionals that have forgotten the oath that they took… to refresh your memory
Hippocratic Oath
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art; and that by my teaching, I will impart a knowledge of this art to my own sons, and to my teacher’s sons, and to disciples bound by an indenture and oath according to the medical laws, and no others.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practise my art, respected by all humanity and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my life.
Oath of a Pharmacist
“I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow:
- I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.
- I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients.
- I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
- I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence.
- I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct.
- I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care.
- I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.
- I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”
Physician.. I will do no harm part.. how can a prescriber ethically allow a patient to be in pain.. when there are alternatives to alleviate their pain… Is allowing a pt to go into withdrawal.. doing no harm?
Pharmacist .. what part of this …I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns… when you stand there with a bald face lie that you don’t have a medication on hand for a legit prescription.. especially when you have been filling the same for the same person for months or years ?
What part of your ethics … allows you to violate your oath… ?
Up until now… most in the chronic pain community has been told by attorneys that they will not take on the DEA over the inability to get medications…
Prescribers, pharmacies/Pharmacists/Wholesalers… the DEA has just slammed that door in your face..
We know that the major wholesalers are rationing.. we know that the major chains have put up barriers to filling legit control Rxs for pts
Now that the DEA is out of picture… the attorneys .. might not be so reluctant to take on the reason for pts not getting their need/necessary medications.
IMO.. there is a whole litany of personal rights violations… that range from pt abuse/personal injury.. to the wholesalers practicing medicine/pharmacy without a license.
Can be long before pharmacies/Pharmacists that have been rationed or cut off.. team up with chronic pain pts and sue the crap out of the three major wholesalers.. why does the phrase “class action” keeps coming to mind.
You know.. the surplus of attorneys is much worse than that of Pharmacists… and personal injury attorneys are seemingly everywhere.. seeking to get a settlement out of some entity with deep pockets.. while the wholesaler’s pockets are not as deep as most insurance companies… they do have deep pockets !
Filed under: General Problems
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