{"id":5947,"date":"2019-09-23T10:56:40","date_gmt":"2019-09-23T14:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5947"},"modified":"2026-04-27T11:59:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:59:04","slug":"prescription-drug-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prescription-drug-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"How pharmacists can help prevent prescription drug abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription drug abuse is taking a medication prescribed to you in a way other than instructed, or taking someone else\u2019s prescription\u2014whether it\u2019s to help with pain, or to get high.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost half of the U.S. population has likely taken a prescription drug in the past 30 days, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meaning, there are a lot of medications circulating in households across the country. Most people take them as directed, but approximately 5% of those 12 and older\u201414.3 million people\u2014have misused a prescription in the past year, reports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"drug-misuse-vs-abuse\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug misuse vs abuse?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misuse of prescription drugs, also called nonmedical use, can mean:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking medication in a way other than prescribed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking someone else\u2019s prescription<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking medication to get high<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be innocent, like forgetting to take two doses daily or using another person\u2019s medications for legitimate pain. But, no matter the motivation, misuse can easily become prescription drug abuse, with dangerous consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three classes of prescription medications that are most commonly misused are opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants. When taken improperly they can lead to addiction, an ER visit, or even overdose and death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacists are one line of defense against the prescription drug abuse epidemic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-the-pharmacist-s-responsibility\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the pharmacist\u2019s responsibility?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As healthcare professionals, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dea.gov\/drug-information\/csa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> considers pharmacists responsible for preventing prescription abuse and drug diversion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under federal law, pharmacists have a corresponding responsibility with the prescriber to assure that a controlled substance is for a legitimate medical purpose and in the prescriber&#8217;s usual course of professional practice,\u201d explains <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hspop.uw.edu\/about\/faculty\/member\/?faculty_id=Karwaki_Tanya_E\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tanya Karwaki<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Ph.D., lecturer at the University of Washington School of Public Health. \u201cPharmacists share with prescribers the responsibility for assuring a controlled substance prescription is valid before it is dispensed. In addition to complying with federal laws, pharmacists must also comply with the state laws where they are practicing including prescription monitoring program laws.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a complicated task, that takes a balance of professional judgment and communication with your customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symptoms-of-prescription-drug-abuse\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms of prescription drug abuse<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are certain indicators you can watch for to help determine when <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">patients need a prescription to improve quality of life, or are seeking it for less legitimate reasons. \u201cThere are multiple red flags that should be considered, some of which include behavioral issues (patient threats, excessive sedation, confusion, intoxication, agitation, multiple opioid controlled substance prescribers, multiple pharmacies); medication specific (large quantities or combined opioids, benzodiazepines, and\/or carisoprodol); and unlawful issues (patient admits to sharing with friend or relative, prescriber\u2019s DEA registration or state license is inactive, or the prescription is uniquely misaligned with the providers scope of practice,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medcentral.com\/author\/jeffrey-fudin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jeffrey Fudin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Pharm.D., owner and managing editor of PainDr.com.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"patient-warning-signs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patient warning signs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Karwaki says that red flags that might alert a pharmacist may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a patient paying cash,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a patient traveling an unusual distance to fill his or her prescription,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a patient frequently requesting early refills, and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unusual patient behaviors such as acting furtively.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"prescriber-or-prescription-warning-signs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescriber or prescription warning signs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients aren\u2019t the only culprits. Physicians can facilitate prescription drug abuse, or prescriptions could be forged. \u201cOn the prescriber side of the equation, red flags might include prescribers writing for unusually large quantities or other prescribing patterns not typically seen in the surrounding medical community, as well as writing outside their area of specialty,\u201d explains Dr. Karwaki.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, these criteria may indicate illegitimate or forged prescriptions, according to the DEA:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simultaneous prescriptions for conflicting drugs, like concurrent stimulants and depressants<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">multiple prescriptions for similar drugs from the same physician from many different patients<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescriptions that look too perfect or too neatly written<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescriptions that appear photocopied<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">directions written in full without standard physician abbreviations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescriptions written in several handwritings or ink colors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if the person filling the prescription exhibits no warning signs, it\u2019s important to scrutinize the prescription itself for signs of fraud or potential for misuse.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-can-a-pharmacist-do\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can a pharmacist do?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pharmacist suspecting prescription drug abuse must comply with federal and state laws regarding valid prescriptions,\u201d says Dr. Karwaki. That can mean taking action. Depending on the specific scenario, consider the following steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"1-contact-the-prescriber\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Contact the prescriber.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have concerns about the validity or use of a prescription, you have a right and responsibility to get more information. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacists may need to contact the prescriber and consider refusing to fill a particular prescription,\u201d Dr. Karwaki says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking with a physician can help you determine why a patient needs the medication, and see if it agrees with the customer\u2019s visible symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-contact-other-pharmacies-that-have-filled-prescriptions-for-the-patient\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Contact other pharmacies that have filled prescriptions for the patient.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe another pharmacist had concerns about the same prescription and declined to fill it. Or, perhaps the pharmacy filled a similar prescription from a different physician recently. When your gut is telling you there\u2019s an issue, it can\u2019t hurt to seek more information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you discover a pattern of bad prescriptions, or abuse you can contact DEA or state authorities. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a prescriber is clearly inappropriate and there are public and\/or patient safety concerns, the pharmacist has an obligation to report such activity to the state board of narcotics within their jurisdiction, but if a patient is involved, it may be appropriate to file a report with the local police,\u201d Dr. Fudin says.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"3-ask-the-patient-for-additional-details\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Ask the patient for additional details.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There could be a legitimate reason a patient needs an early refill or pays cash. Having a conversation with your customer can expand your view of the situation, and help rule out potential prescription drug abuse. Consult your state\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/overdose-prevention\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescription drug monitoring program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (PDMP) to see if the details your patient describes match the patterns you see in the database.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"4-counsel-the-patient-or-refer-the-patient-to-addiction-treatment\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Counsel the patient or refer the patient to addiction treatment.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your additional investigation points toward prescription drug abuse, you may want to have a discussion about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and next steps. \u201cPharmacists may also counsel patients and provide a referral or resources about substance abuse,\u201d says Dr. Karwaki. Such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/national-helpline\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SAMSHA\u2019s national helpline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 1-800-662-HELP<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/related-topics\/treatment\/what-to-do-if-your-adult-friend-or-loved-one-has-problem-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Institute on Drug Abuse resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/americanaddictioncenters.org\/rehab-guide\/family-members\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Addiction Center resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"5-refuse-to-fill-the-prescription\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Refuse to fill the prescription.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many reasons you might not be able to fill a prescription\u2014outside of suspected prescription drug abuse. There could be missing information, the physician\u2019s handwriting is illegible, a medication is out of stock, or might interact dangerously with another prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But if you believe a prescription is being used illegitimately, you may want to consider refusing to fill it\u2014as long as it\u2019s within your rights under state laws.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prescription drug abuse is taking a medication prescribed to you in a way other than instructed, or taking someone else\u2019s prescription\u2014whether it\u2019s to help with pain, or to get high. Almost half of the U.S. population has likely taken a prescription drug in the past 30 days, according to data from the Centers for Disease [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":11673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9340],"tags":[9846,743],"coauthors":[8869],"class_list":["post-5947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-checkout","tag-drug-abuse","tag-pharmacies","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to prevent prescription drug abuse at the pharmacy\u00a0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The DEA considers pharmacists responsible for prescription drug abuse prevention. 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