Prescription drug diversion control and medical practice

Article Abstract:

A computer system that reports prescriptions for psychoactive drugs filled in pharmacies to state agencies may decrease drug abuse, but it may also affect patient care. Use of controlled psychoactive drugs for non-medical reasons is common. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists may contribute to illicit drug use by prescribing psychoactive drugs for non-medical reasons. Several national surveys of prescribed use of sedative-hypnotic drugs found that most physicians do not over-prescribe these drugs. Drug diversion, or prescription of psychoactive drugs for non-medical reasons, may not be common, but the press has sensationalized the episodes that have occurred. Computerized drug-monitoring systems may affect patient care. Doctors may become afraid to prescribe psychoactive drugs, even to patients who need them. More research is needed to understand the full impact of these types of systems on medical practice.

Drugs, Prevention, Drug abuse, Prescriptions (Drugs)

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Including narcotic addiction treatment in an office-based practice

Article Abstract:

Physicians should be allowed to treat a limited number of opiate-addicted patients in a private practice without having to register with state and federal authorities that regulate the use of narcotics in detoxification treatment programs. Few office-based doctors have the money or time to obtain the two registrations. Because of the registration process, treatment is clustered in large metropolitan clinics, and not available to people in rural settings. The programs are run by bureaucrats, who usually are not physicians. The Narcotic Addict Treatment Act (NATA) of 1974, which authorized the separate registrations, has also affected the development of new drugs to treat addiction because pharmaceutical companies consider the regulations barriers to wider distribution of the medications.

Care and treatment, Laws, regulations and rules, Narcotics, Control of, Narcotics control, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, Drug treatment centers

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Computer use and carpal tunnel syndrome: a 1-year-follow-up study

Article Abstract:

Using a computer does not increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome unless a mouse is used for more than 20 hours a week, according to a survey of 9,480 people. Only 11% of the members of a trade union reported tingling or numbness in their right hand. Keyboard use was not associated with this symptom, but regular mouse use was.

Electronic computers, Computers, Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Computers & Auxiliary Equip, Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing, Electronic components, not elsewhere classified, Display Control Mouses, Risk factors, Mouse devices (Computers), Mice (Computer peripherals), Carpal tunnel syndrome, Mouse, System selection, Software/hardware leasing

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