[Physicians in crisis--loss of authorization and licensure]

In May 1991 the Norwegian Directorate of Health had for consideration 57 cases where it was necessary to assess whether the persons concerned were fit to execute their profession of medical practitioner. In 22 of these cases the doctors were regular drug abusers. Three had been sentenced by court to forfeit their authorization, and 42 had been deprived of the right, or had voluntarily abdicated the right, to prescribe certain drugs (mainly those containing opiates and benzodiazepines). The authors discuss various factors conducive to the increase in recent years of doctors who are deprived of their authorization to practice medicine. Prophylactic measures, such as a tutorial arrangement and health care system for doctors, are considered.