Recently, on a list server in which I participate, a pharmacist was posing a question to the health professionals, law enforcement officers, and regulators as to the course of action needed in a dispensing issue. It seems a local doctor was prescribing extra-strength hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination to the tune of 120 pills every 9 to 10 days, creating the intake of at least 9 g of acetaminophen per day for the patient!

The physician had been warned twice by the pharmacy, yet he continued to prescribe the medication, and the patient continued to have it filled at the complaining pharmacy. Understandably, the pharmacist was feeling very uncomfortable being involved in filling these prescriptions, and offered the situation to the group for input. [Read more…]