Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026
07:32
Novel Apparatus and Method for Drug Reinforcement
Published on: August 20, 2010
Responsible prescribing of controlled substances
E A Voth1, R L Dupont, H M Voth
1University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City.
American Family Physician
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Physicians faced disciplinary actions for prescribing controlled drugs, highlighting the need to identify patients at risk of overdose or addiction. Recognizing warning signs like early refills is crucial for preventing drug abuse.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- In 1990, one-third of physician disciplinary actions were linked to controlled or abusable drug prescriptions.
- Prescribing controlled medications poses risks including overdose, dependence, and diversion to drug abusers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the challenges physicians face in identifying patients at risk of controlled medication misuse.
- To outline key indicators that may suggest drug abuse or addiction.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of disciplinary actions against physicians.
- Review of common scenarios and patient behaviors associated with controlled medication misuse.
Main Results:
- Prescription of controlled drugs was a significant factor in physician disciplinary actions.
- Specific patient behaviors serve as potential red flags for drug abuse.
Conclusions:
- Physicians must be vigilant in identifying potential overdose victims and addicted patients.
- Warning signs such as early refill requests, lost prescriptions, and intolerance to non-narcotic analgesics warrant suspicion of drug abuse.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Drug Regulation
Drug regulation encompasses the management of drug usage by evaluating its safety and efficacy through assessments conducted by regulatory authorities. Regrettably, the history of drug regulation is marred by several catastrophic events. One such incident is the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, in which the toxic compound diethyl glycol was included in a sweet-tasting medication, leading to numerous fatalities. This event prompted the enactment of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Under...
01:25Drug Classes and Categories
Drugs can be classified according to their chemical composition or their intended therapeutic application. For instance, anti-infective agents that possess the ability to eliminate pathogens or suppress their growth and reproduction can be grouped based on the organisms they target or their chemical structure. Furthermore, drugs can be divided into prescription, nonprescription, or controlled substances. Prescription medications, such as antibiotics, require oversight from a licensed healthcare...
01:02Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:03Drug Control Governance: Regulatory Bodies and Their Impact
Drug control governance involves the oversight and regulation of pharmaceuticals to ensure their safety and efficacy while preventing illegal drug use and trafficking. Regulatory bodies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union's European Medicines Agency (EMA), play a central role in this process. These agencies evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs before they can be marketed. They fund clinical trials and assess the benefits and risks associated with a...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...