NACDS stresses need for a ‘comprehensive solution’ to prescription drug abuse
https://drugstorenewsce.com/editorial-news-item/3/5903
Apparently the decision to fill/not fill a Rx is like a murder trial.. the decision to fill must be BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT of the medication being used for a legit medical need. Unlike a murder trial, the decision is not necessarily based on facts, but on the opinion/biases of one person. According to this editorial the opinion seems to be that it is a one to one issue… as if for ever chronic pain pt .. there is a person abusing some opiate or controlled substance… when we know that it is more like 49:1 ratio. The question is how do the Pharmacist parse the ONE out of 50 without doing harm of the 49.. Or .. do they care if they harm those within the group of 49 ?
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Wednesday announced that the Orlando Sentinel published a letter to the editor from NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson that outlines the way pharmacists approach complex prescription pain medication issues.
NACDS submitted the letter at a time when the issue is receiving statewide media attention. The organization said the coverage often times focuses only on one part of prescription drug abuse — addiction and access — which limits the understanding of such issues and the possible solutions for them.
“Pharmacists have a 100 percent commitment to patient care, and a zero-tolerance for prescription drug abuse. But we cannot solve these issues alone,” Anderson wrote. “That is why NACDS encourages a comprehensive solution.”
Anderson’s letter encourages support for the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2015, which seeks to bring health and enforcement agencies together to better approach these issues. The complete letter-to-the-editor is as follows:
“In one household, a family is devastated by prescription drug abuse. While in another, a patient can’t understand why he is denied the pain medications needed to make life bearable.
“Both scenarios are heartbreaking and different, but also tied together. That’s why any solution to the challenges of prescription drug abuse and prescription drug access should be addressed simultaneously.
“Four years ago, Florida was known as the unofficial pill mill capital of the country. High powered prescription narcotics were being abused across the state and something had to be done. So law enforcement cracked down, the legislature enacted new laws, and many of the questionable pain clinics were closed. Today, drug abuse cases and deaths are down significantly.
“Closing rogue pill mills and cracking down on abuse is the right thing to do. But unfortunately, it’s also contributed to the unintended consequence of leaving some patients without much-needed medication.
“The outcome: Pharmacists are caught in the middle. Pharmacists have a 100 percent commitment to patient care, and a zero-tolerance for prescription drug abuse. But we cannot solve these issues alone. That is why the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), encourages a comprehensive solution.
“In 2014, the federal government further tightened access to prescription medications containing hydrocodone. NACDS joined with patient advocates to oppose these efforts, because we want ensure patients in legitimate need of these medications can get them.
“At the same time, NACDS is committed to helping prevent drug abuse. While doctors are required to be responsible when they prescribe controlled substances, pharmacists have a ‘corresponding responsibility’ when they dispense those drugs.
“NACDS offers training programs for pharmacists to identify red flags – based on federal regulations – that could indicate potential drug abuse. We’ve also developed an online continuing course to educate pharmacists about new controlled substance policies.
“Ultimately, a solution will have to address abuse and access at the same time. Fortunately, recent bipartisan federal legislation seeks to do just that. The Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2015 (S. 482 and H.R. 471) would establish a cooperative framework between government agencies, patients, and providers.
“Collaboration is key. Pharmacists have been and will be part of developing a workable solution in Florida and across the country.”
Filed under: General Problems
If we need to do a check list, maybe we can fill it out, stating that patient has possible red flags for abuse according to several measures, and still fill the medication. Put it back on doctor. Document the fax and confirmation. Let doctor deal with it, and fulfill my own obligation to make sure it’s a legit situation. I’ve done my due diligence without limiting access. ..
That’s the closest I’d feel comfortable with interfering if I’m not sure.
The pill mills are all gone. According to the definition of a pill now it was a doctors office that also had a pharmacy on premises to fill the narcotics add a inflated price. Those do not exist anymore. The only group that needs to stick their nose out of the doctor patient relationship is the DEA. Then everything will work out just grand. If you have 100 innocent men and two murderers do you throw all 102 men in prison just to get the two murderers? Of course who wouldn’t. But this is exactly what we’re doing with the legitimate pain patients and the “” abusers. this is just pure insanity for the DEA to continue to justify its existence.