Pubdate: Sat, 28 Feb 2004
Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Copyright: 2004 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Author: Ann Probst

DRUG REGISTRY ONLY WOULD FURTHER TIE DOCTORS' HANDS

I read the Feb. 20 letter "Drug registry only way to fight effects of 
abuse" and realized that we have entered the realm of Big Brother. There 
are people out there who are in real pain, and their doctors might now be 
afraid to write prescriptions for fear of being seen as drug dealers.

Whether one likes Rush Limbaugh's politics or not, we have not walked in 
his shoes or felt his pain. Doctors are hampered already by managed-care 
organizations; now, some would take away their right to decide for their 
patients, which, of course, insurers are doing anyhow. It is up to the 
doctor, not government and not society, to decide whether a patient 
requires pain pills, tranquilizers or sugar pills. After studying for so 
many years, they should have the freedom to deal with their own patients.

Ann Probst, Boynton Beach
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom