More U.S. doctors are facing criminal and civil prosecution over their handling of prescription drugs as the number of patients who become addicted to prescription narcotics has reached epidemic proportions, Reuters News Service reported.
Our New York City medical malpractice attorneys are closely following the issue of prescription drug abuse and malpractice involving pharmacies and doctors. The New York Times recently reported that doctors in West Palm Beach bought 89 percent of the Oxycodone distributed in the country last year -- more than 32 million doses. Some 400 clinics have been shut down and more than 80 doctors have had their license suspended.
In such cases, pill mills are intentionally dealing drugs without medical need. But, as anyone who has suffered a serious injury or undergone surgery can attest, doctors are liberal with the pain meds. In any number of instances, this can cross the line into medical malpractice.
Other instances of prescription drug malpractice can result when a doctor or pharmacy prescribes conflicting medications or do not properly monitor for possible side effects. As we have frequently reported on our New York Personal Injury Law Blog, the Food and Drug Administration continues warn of dangerous medication and defective medical products that make it through the approval process to reach consumers. Billions are at stake for pharmaceutical companies.
When it comes to prescription drug abuse, may believe the pharmaceutical companies share responsibility -- that in the worst cases they have become little more than legalized drug pushers. Earlier this year, CNN reported the White House was launching an effort to address what has become an epidemic.
"The toll our nation's prescription drug abuse epidemic has taken in communities nationwide is devastating," said Gil Kerlikowske, White House director of national drug control policy. "We share a responsibility to protect our communities from the damage done by prescription drug abuse."
In 2007 -- about 28,000 died from prescription drug overdose -- or nearly as many as died from car accidents. In the past decade, the number of prescriptions filled at pharmacies has climbed from 174 million to 257 million.
Thus far, pharmaceutical companies are reaping enough profits to ignore a growing number of multi million dollar jury verdicts awarded to families who have lost a loved one who was recklessly prescribed potent narcotics too long and too often.
The Times reports that tough new rules barring doctors from directly dispensing narcotics has led to a doubling of the number of pharmacy applications. Doctors now account for half of all new pharmacy requests, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In the wake of the death of Michael Jackson, prosecutors have started pushing criminal charges. In one case in Florida, a doctor was charged with murder in Palm Beach County after a patient overdosed in 2009, just a few hours after being prescribed 210 pain pills.
Twin brothers who operated a number of pain clinics were also criminally charged. One has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Authorities believe they are responsible for 56 overdose deaths.
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