Appropriate Dispensing of Prescription Medications and Recognition of Substance Abuse: The Pharmacist’s Perspective

Abstract

The term 'abuse' is often defined in pharmacy circles as either using a medication wrongly or improperly. Medications with abuse potential can be prescribed wilh the best of intentions, only to be used improperly at the whim of a reckless patient. We must be aware that some in our profession lack the knowledge of medical standards, current research, ethics, and clinical practice guidelines. The lack of knowledge about risks of addiction, expected levels of dependency, and history of misuse or abuse prevents accurate evaluation of appropriate treatment with controlled substances. Red flags should alert Physicians and Pharmacists to exercise extreme vigilance and to utilize additional diligence before prescribing or dispensing these powerful medications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)