MSN News: CVS cracks down on opioid abuse, by....

...refusing to fill Rx's for certain opioid pain meds!  That's it, just WHAM?  They're stopping availability of a medication to everyone because of the actions of some who abuse.  This is what we're coming to.  And yes, that's my pharmacy, and it has been for 15 years.  As if transferring out of state wasn't enough of an issue....

What the heck is up with this?

Sookie

Here is the link to the article below...As M&G  mentioned, it's important to read the whole thing as they are restricting this for certain Drs. that were found to have "extreme" prescribing habits....Not all Drs or all patients....no need to panic:)

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/cvs-cuts-docs-who-prescribe-too-many-narcotics-6C10975693

 

I did read the article, but I question who is deciding how much is "too much?" Look at the wide range, even among those of us who post here.

Plus I notice there is a focus on the number of pills vs. the strength of the pills. If I get a Rx for 30 Percocet 5/35 and take 1-2,...it's viewed as "more" than if I took 10/325 1 tablet and got 15. This to me is illogical, yet I often see physicians work with us to give us the option of taking less, at the "expense" of more tablets, but it permits flexibility. There is a large, and often inaccurate focus on the number dispensed.

What concerns me is if any of us will be lumped into the same category as people taking 80mg Oxycontin, twice a day, but they only get 60 tablets....but the meds listed, including Percocet and vicodin, are being viewed in the same manner.  Focus on # of tabs dispensed.  No judgment on any med in particular.

It's poor education and a reactionary, knee-jerk movement. I appreciate the denial to physicians and patients who abuse the system and the medications. I just hope it is not at a cost the rest of us have to bear.  Abusing by over-prescribing or taking other than directed is one thing.  People who have a high tolerance and find management with these meds, are being pushed into the same box.

Their interchange may impact the patient the most.


Sookie

Given that many legitimate CP patients have trouble finding a pharmacy in their area with oxycodone in stock, I can see an upside here. There are unethical doctors out there and stopping them and the abusers can help us.

The article also noted that CVS contacted the doctors first to inquire about their practices. I suspect that CVS consulted thoroughly with their attorneys and were very cognizant that they would be sued if they blacklisted a legitimate PM and his patients.

Ohhh good GOD. It' s all about the money isn't it. I am not going to get into my story but in short I have been on Oxycotin and Morhine for over 3 years. I am not know due to what I think are some of these issues.

With CVS it is all about the liability. It;s the same with the ER docotrs who can give someone the FREEDOM they DESERVE from pain but cannot do to the "junkies" who abuse the system.


But with CVS it's the money too. And it's blantley apparent. :(


Sad our society is coming to this............

I can see this post in a few ways. I just agree with MrJNT in his concern about actual patients having issues finding the care and treatment that actually need due to a loss in doctors able to perscribe these medications.

If I lived in the areas more directly affected by this, I would be asking CVS as a consumer what exactly it's process is for screening these doctors. I just hope it is legitimate and not a knee-jerk reaction to prescription abuse.

This has nothing to do with CVS or Walgreens, but it's alot of the reason(s) this is happening, it's regarding the reports of all the deaths in past yrs due to prescription pain meds.

How long had the patient been taking the prescribed pain medications ? What other drugs were found in their systems, legal and illegal ? Did they have rx for all of the meds found in their system ? What health conditions, besides pain, did the people have that died ? Were autopsies done, if they were what did they show as primary and secondary cause of death ? How long had the patient been taking the prescribed pain medications ? What other drugs were found in their systems, legal and illegal ? Did they have rx for all of the meds found in their system ? What were the ages and sex of the patients ? What settings were they living in (living alone, homeless, with family, group home, etc) ? Were they disabled by pain and/or other health problems ? If so, for how long ? How many received, Medicare, Medicaid, had private insurance, had no insurance ? How many had failed drug tests with their drs ?

My list could go on, but I'm sure you get the picture. I know many of these questions aren't answered. But, before all CP patents are condemned to suffer, I believe they should be. Everything is combined, there is no way to determine those that were actually "abusing/misusing" and those that weren't.