Legal issues prescribers

Therapeutic substitution, where a drug of different chemical structure is substituted for the drug prescribed by the doctor. The substitute is of the same chemical class and is deemed to have similar pharmacological properties and to give similar therapeutic benefit. Therapeutic substitution is a particularly controversial matter where it is done without consulting the prescribe and legal issues may be raised in the event of adverse therapeutic outcome. 

With all of these caveats in mind, the reader may well wonder who has the heart or the stomach to dispense or to take drugs that, however legally, alter consciousness in such wild and uncontrolled ways. I have already confessed to my own cowardliness as drug taker and drug prescriber. You have to make up your own mind about where you stand on these issues. All that I hope to do now is share some observations and thoughts about how some of the most widely used drugs may... 

Haddox, J. David. Legal and Clinical Issues In Prescribing Controlled Substance. 18 July 2002. . 

As the debate over off-label information dissemination continues, the FDA has other legal remedies to pursue if it believes that a company is issuing information that could lead to mis-prescribing or jeopardize the health of patients. The FDA has said it can and will invoke a section of its regulations that prohibit the dissemination of information that is false or misleading. ... 

The modem practice of pharmacy is in a state of evolution. One important element of that evolutionary state is the inclusion within the scope of practice of some pharmacists in some jurisdictions of the right to prescribe medications to a patient. A pharmacist who undertakes the new skill of prescribing must acquire the appropriate skills consistent with the sophistication of the task or risk liability on various levels. This article will summarize critical legal and ethical issues associated with the evolving function of the pharmacist prescriber. 

This article has summarized critical legal and ethical issues associated with the evolving function of the pharmacist prescriber. The purpose of this chapter is not to discourage pharmacists interested in prescribing, but to review critical issues associated with a new role. With proper training, communication with the patient and the patient s physician, adherence to the appropriate standard of care, avoidance of ethical and criminal breaches, the modern pharmacist will be able to contribute even more to the health care team. 

Prescription medications means the use (by a driver) of legally prescribed medications issued by a licensed health care professional familiar with the driver s work related responsibilities. 

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