NCJ Number: 192892
Title: Balancing Diversion Control and Medical Necessity: The Case of Prescription Drugs With Abuse Potential
Journal: Substance Use & Misuse Volume:36 Issue:9 & 10 Dated:July/August 2001 Pages:1275-1296
Author(s): Linda Simoni-Wastila Ph.D.; Christopher Tompkins Ph.D.
Date Published: 2001
Page Count: 22
Publisher: http://www.dekker.com
Type: Program/Project Evaluation
Format: Article
Language: English
Country: United States of America
Annotation: This paper examines the effectiveness of two drug diversion
control programs, multiple copy prescriptions programs (MCPP) and
electronic data transfer (EDT) systems, and their impact on
medical practice.
Abstract: In MCPPs, the prescriber writes a prescription of Schedule II
drugs on a preprinted, serially numbered prescription form in
duplicate or triplicate format. The prescriber and dispenser each
maintain a copy of the prescription, and the dispenser forwards a
copy of the prescription to a State regulatory agency. The copies
sent to the State agency are entered into a database from which
aberrant prescribing, dispensing, and patient procuring patterns
are identified. EDT, the electronic equivalent of MCPPs, is a
computerized diversion control system that requires pharmacists
and dispensing physicians to submit on tape or diskette Schedule
II prescription and dispensing information to a centralized
databank. In order for EDT to be implemented, the majority of
pharmacies in the State must have adequate computer capabilities.
Optimally designed drug diversion control systems have two
primary goals. The first is to limit access to controlled
substances to those with a legitimate medical need, thereby
reducing illicit drug use. The second goal is to establish a
system with the ability to track and identify instances when
access controls are compromised. Also desirable, however, is a
third goal: to minimize the intrusiveness of the drug control
system into the legitimate practice of medicine. In the face of
increasing government scrutiny there is growing concern in the
medical community that controlled substances are
under-prescribed. Current evidence demonstrates that these
programs decrease prescription drug use, with much of the
decrease due to declines in inappropriate use. MCPPs appear more
effective than EDT in preventing diversion. More research is
needed, however, to assess their effects on medical practice,
particularly patient quality of care. 4 tables and 45 references
Main Term(s): Drug prevention programs
Index Term(s): Drug abuse; Effectiveness of crime prevention programs; Prescription drugs
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=192892
. A title search of
WorldCat, the world's largest library network, will start when you click
"Continue." Here you will be able to learn if libraries in your community have the document you need. The results will open in a new browser and your NCJRS session will remain
active for 30 minutes. Learn More.
