Fake prescriptions

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Cordillera Administrative Region is warning the public against fake prescriptions of dangerous drugs.

           

This, amid reports reaching the regional office about individuals trying to buy narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances from  local drugstores through spurious prescriptions.

           

The PDEA national office reportedly earlier notified its field units on the possible diversion of dangerous drugs from hospitals and community outlets. Similarly, the increase in prescription drug abuse is now an emerging concern not only in this country but the global level.

           

Pharmacists manning various drugstores in the region were urged to be extra watchful of prescriptions issued by practitioners outside CAR, in which a customer would usually attempt to purchase Stilnox, Valium, Nubain or Demerol.

           

A PDEA press statement said pharmacists should scrutinize well the prescription form, where the doctor and PDEA license number might be genuine but the doctor’s signature is just scanned, digitally acquired or computer-generated.

           

When pharmacists encounter these, they may directly phone up the doctor for verification or telephone the PDEA – CAR at (074) 422-5544 for possible entrapment operation.

           

The PDEA said pharmacists should be reminded of the stipulation under paragraph 5, Section 32, Board Regulation No. 3, Series of 2003 of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), that, “No person shall supply any dangerous drug or drug preparation in parenteral or tablet or capsule, containing Table I controlled chemical as the only active medicinal ingredient or containing Table I controlled chemical and therapeutically insignificant quantities of another active medicinal ingredient, on presentation of a prescription, if the person knows or has reason to believe that the prescription is: a) forged, unlawfully altered, or cancelled; or b) issued more than one (1) month before presentation.”

           

Diversion of controlled substances through retail pharmacies include wherein the person attempts to obtain controlled substance prescriptions from multiple practitioners.

           

Another is prescription theft wherein blank prescriptions are stolen from practitioner’s office and used to create forged prescriptions. Another is altered prescriptions wherein the practitioner’s handwriting on the prescription is changed to increase the quantity, strength or number of refills.

           

Fourth on the list is counterfeit /scanned prescriptions where. the patient scans an existing prescription to create a counterfeit prescription. Inappropriate prescribing by practitioner is when he/she prescribes controlled substances for non-legitimate purposes or does not use sound medical judgment when prescribing controlled substances.

           

Internal theft is when controlled substances are stolen by pharmacists or other pharmacy employees by theft, substitution or the falsification of of prescription records; and burglaries, robberies and theft.

           

According to PDEA – CAR regional director Gil Cesario P. Castro, “during these tough economic times, desperate people will always try and find new ways to attain their choice of narcotic drugs, by any means necessary. Hence I call on all concerned, never tolerate these attempts. Let’s work together in taking necessary actions to make sure these unscrupulous activities will be prevented or chastised and stopped.”

           

The PDEA – CAR head is urging medical practitioners to ensure the security of their prescription forms, so with the personnel of the Department of Health  who are in-charge of the DOH Official Prescription Form otherwise called “yellow” prescription.

           

He likewise calls for the doctors to strictly adhere to the prescription limits and prescribing guidelines as set forth in DDB Board Reg. No. 3, S. 2003 Sec. 32. A copy of this was issued to them upon issuance of their S2 identification card.

           

“I also ask for drug establishments to uphold the role of pharmacists as anti-drug advocates, through vigilant compliance with PDEA regulatory requirements, such as registration, recording, reporting and proper dispensing; and by serving as our allies in detecting potential drug abusers and trends in drug abuse,” Castro said.

           

There is reportedly a growing trend of prescription drug abuse so patients should keep their medicines properly and be observant, in case a family member or a friend, especially one with drug addiction tendency, tries to make off with one of the pills.