Re: Here is a good Privacy Issue that will cause problems

[Hcs321]

Yes and no. First, they are breaking the law when they doctor-shop for narcotics. Secondly, who is responsible for report this to law enforcement? The question comes up, how did you know the individual went to different pharmacies? were you told by the same chain of pharmacies? Usually it will be tracked by the PBM when multiple pharmacies are being used. That's why our organization wants to control narcotics OTC. Oxeycontin is usually a long term medication for severe pain and should be provided mail (where there are systems in place to catch this kind of misuse). It is a red flag when narcotics are being prescribe OTC.  With regard to what should happen; the PBM should write letters to all physicians that prescribe this narcotic to the individual in question, making them aware of the manufacturers protocol and the total number of pills being prescribed -- this is done as a matter of post utilization review for OTC drugs.
The question is who has the responsibility to report this to the authorities?
I believe under your scenario, the individual has lost the right to privacy once they break the law.
Please correct me if I am wrong in my assumptions.
Thanks, Robert

Robert Blinch-Edwards
Executive Director
Healthcare Sarasota, Inc.
1991 Main Street, Suite 148
Sarasota, FL 34236
Tel: 941-917-7995
Fax: 941-917-1930
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web: www.hcsrq.com

Subj: Here is a good Privacy Issue that will cause problems
Date: 1/15/2003 3:43:15 PM Central Standard Time
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Today, a clinic that I work with received a letter from a local pharmacy
about a patient that was a "Drug Seeker" as we call them.  Over the
course of 30 days he had been to several doctors and several pharmacies
and received over 350 total pills all a controlled substance.

What happens to the pharmacy's ability to do these types of things
under Privacy? 

Clearly, pharmacist were communicated information back and forth to
each other and to physicians on this person.  They even sent letters to
all physicians in the area.

Problem? yes or no
Rebekah Savoie, CCS-P
Healthcare Consultant

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