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Is it possible to have the same medications at different pharmacys?
I was wondering if it is possible to have multiple prescriptions for the same drug at different pharmacy's to be used to abuse a drug? If you suspect someone of doing this what is the correct steps to follow?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Illnesses?
Let me preface this response with both a disclaimer and my level of knowledge:
I am by no means a physician of any sort. I do, however, work very closely with the psychiatrists at my counseling office, one of whom specializes in addiction medicine. One of my best friends is a substance abuse counselor, and I'm going to specialize in that (and domestic violence) myself.
Yes, it's possible to have multiple prescriptions at multiple pharmacies from the same doctor or from multiple doctors.
I'm not sure what state you're in or if your state has a system like this (I imagine it does) but mine has an Automated Prescription System that all/most pharmacies have access to that records when controlled medications are filled and picked up (and therefore presumably taken).
Also, if your family member has insurance and uses it to help pay for the medications (most people do; medications are expensive), if they try to fill a prescription too soon, no matter which pharmacy they use, the insurance company won't fill it. Most insurances give a two- or three-day grace period to prevent people from running out of medications, especially because the controlled ones can cause serious withdrawal side-effects if suddenly stopped.
Now, if you think your family member is getting these medications off the street, that's a different issue, and potentially a bigger one.
So. If you suspect abuse, the first thing to do is to talk to the family member, alone. Sit him or her down and let them know that you're concerned about their health, that you've noticed [this, this, and this] happening, and you think he or she might have a problem. Encourage him or her to take a second look at the way he or she is using the medication(s) and to come to you. Emphasize that you just want to help, not get them in trouble of any kind (that's the biggest fear of most drug abusers. That, and realize that there's a ton of shame often associated with this issue, even though there shouldn't be).
Those two medications, though, aren't typical for abuse. Clonidine is prescribed to children at my office in 0.1mg and 0.2mg doses. Fioricet, yes, is in the barbituate class and can be habit-forming, but it is also safe to take and to be prescribed in normal doses. Just because someone takes prescriptions to a couple different pharmacies doesn't necessarily mean that these medications are being abused, especially if they're from the same doctor. I guarantee that this doctor is keeping track of when the prescriptions are written, when they are filled, and when the patient runs out. We're insanely careful about that where I work, and I've personally called more than one person out on abusing their prescriptions...but I've also had them realize their problem and get the help they've needed, and then thank me.
Let me ask you this - what exactly makes you concerned that your family member is abusing these medications?
That information is absolutely crucial. I'd love to give you more detailed suggestions, but I need more detail from your end.
If you want, you can message me on AIM (SirenCytherea) or send more detail to my inbox here. You can even add more information to this question - however you'd like to do it, but we'll all have trouble giving you the right advice without enough information. Help us out so we can help you out. :)
Siren
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Of course it's possible. All you have to do is go to a different doctor and say you're hurting, then tell them where you want the prescription sent. If you suspect someone of doing this - call the cops.
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