Indianapolis, IN Lawyers for Excessive Prescriptions of Addictive Medicines
The United States is the world’s largest pharmaceutical drug market. Our nation accounts for over $310 billion in industry sales each year. Doctors prescribe medications to help patients manage medical conditions and improve quality of life. However, sometimes these drugs can do more harm than good.
Substance abuse is a very serious disease and can occur when doctors overprescribe medicines to patients. Some prescription drugs are highly addictive and should only be directed for use in limited quantities and for short durations in order to avoid dependency. Habit-forming drugs such as Percocet and Xanax need to be carefully monitored by physicians to ensure that they are not being overly prescribed to the point of creating a dependency for the patient.
As part of a patient’s medical record, a doctor is supposed to keep a record of the drugs that they have prescribed for the patient. The doctor should be made aware of all drugs that a patient is taking in order to safely prescribe any necessary medications. Because of the addictive nature of some drugs, the doctor should closely monitor the quantity and frequency of prescriptions. When a doctor writes excessive prescriptions for medications for a patient they can put the patient’s health at risk. Overdoses can occur which can lead to severe injury or even death.
Many states participate in a prescription drug monitoring program to help prevent substance abuse and overmedicating patients. Health departments, pharmacy boards, and state law enforcement can all help to oversee drug monitoring programs in the various participating states. For controlled substances such as narcotics and sedatives, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) serves as an additional resource that tracks and monitors inventory of these medications.
Excessive Prescription of Addictive Medicines Claim
Cohen & Malad, LLP represented a patient who was prescribed 360 pills of addictive pain medications, muscle relaxants, and anti-anxiety medications per month over a period of three years by a doctor near Anderson, Indiana. Not surprisingly, the patient became addicted to these drugs. She experienced two or three overdoses for which she was treated at local hospitals. Her doctor was notified of these overdoses yet continued to provide her with prescriptions for these medications. The patient ultimately died of an overdose. Case was settled as a Wrongful Death case for a significant amount.
Your Indiana Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Medical personnel who prescribe medications owe a duty of care to their patients. Prescribing pharmaceuticals can greatly affect the quality of life for patients and should be done in a responsible manner. Overprescribing medications can enable a patient to become addicted to these drugs which can cause serious health problems, injury, or death. If you or a loved one has received excessive prescriptions for addictive medicines and has been injured as a result, you may have an Indiana malpractice claim. Contact our office now to talk with an experienced Indianapolis medical malpractice attorney to discuss your rights and options. Cohen & Malad, LLP has earned a well-respected reputation as a tough litigation firm in the courtroom and during negotiations and can bring Power to Your Voice.
