WHILE the stereotype of the addicted opioid abuser is a patient doctor-shopping to get multiple scripts, the data doesn't support that scenario, according to findings from the Victorian Coroners Court.
The court data showed that in seven out of 10 pharmaceutical drug overdose deaths, the deceased had only seen one GP, with the key issue being seemingly innocuous gradual uptake of strong pain relief medicines following surgery or for injury treatment.
According to the ABC's Law Report (CLICK HERE), the "doctor-shopping narrative" disguises what lies at the heart of the issue: "a medical system that structurally supports problematic prescribing practices".
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 29 Nov 17
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