Pubdate: Thu, 24 Feb 2005
Source: Gadsden Times, The (AL)
Copyright: 2005 The Gadsden Times
Contact:  http://www.gadsdentimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1203
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

MONITORING SYSTEM ON ITS WAY

Program Will Let Licensers, Doctors Track Drugs

State Health Officer Don Williamson says Alabama will begin using a 
monitoring system by the first of next year designed to stop people from 
"doctor shopping" to get prescriptions for pain medications which can lead 
to addiction for some.

The system is geared toward hindering drug abuse, either through drugs 
being over-prescribed or patients seeking drugs from a variety of physicians.

The system was authorized by a bill lawmakers passed last year that likely 
was encouraged, if not inspired, by concerns over several deaths attributed 
to OxyContin overdoses in the Gadsden area a few years ago.

Family members of some of those who died from OxyContin overdoes, along 
with members of several law enforcement agencies, called attention to the 
problems related specifically to OxyContin. Some family members believed 
there were cases of doctors prescribing the drug unnecessarily, sometimes 
irresponsibly.

In some cases, it is likely patients sought the drug illegally, either on 
the streets or by deceiving a doctor about their condition or going to more 
than one doctor to get enough medication - the same methods people use to 
try to feed their addictions to other pain medications.

The monitoring system the state is establishing initially will allow 
licensing boards to monitor the number of prescriptions doctors are writing 
and pharmacies are filling, so those boards can spot possible abuse. Later, 
Williamson said, the system will be expanded so doctors can make a phone 
call to check into whether a patient seeking pain medication is already 
getting it from another doctor.

The program is funded partly through grants and partly through a $10 charge 
added to the fee doctors, dentists and veterinarians pay for a license 
allowing them to prescribe controlled substances.

Sen. Larry Dixon, R-Montgomery, who is also executive doctor of the Alabama 
Board of Medical Examiners said monitoring won't keep or delay patients in 
pain from getting medications - something that was a concern as the debate 
over the OxyContin problem grew.

Keeping abusers from getting drugs improperly should not block those who 
need and would use medications correctly from receiving them. The 
monitoring system could be a way to avoid that potential problem.
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