Prescription Drug Abuse
Over-Prescribing Did Not Cause America’s Opioid Crisis
Over-Prescribing Did Not Cause America’s Opioid Crisis
Read MoreEverything Isn’t as Perfect as It Seems in Ireland
Is the Opioid Crisis Uniquely an American Problem? For the past two weeks, I have been visiting Ireland. I attended a meeting for a few days in Dublin, but then my wife and I toured parts of the beautiful country boasting deeply green meadows that connected huge historic cathedrals and exquisite castles. On the way…
Read MoreRepeating the Mistakes of the Past
I’m pleased to present a blog written by Megan Nalamachu who is a bright, articulate high school student. Her father, Dr. Srinivas Nalamachu, is a treasured colleague and friend. He proudly sent me his daughter’s well-researched work, because he believed I’d be interested in it. He was correct. Megan did a wonderful job rendering a…
Read MoreMarcus Welby, M.D. Is the Wrong Doctor for These Times
The Marcus Welby Fantasy Lives in the Past Many people fantasize about having a folksy doctor like Marcus Welby, M.D. An idealized physician, Dr. Welby didn’t have to worry about malpractice insurance, co-payments, political agendas, interference by government agencies, or bureaucratic matters of any kind. He could be fully present for his patients. Dr. Welby…
Read MoreDigital Pills and Other Medical Adherence Technology
The Future of Medicine The future of medicine may have arrived, and it has its benefits — but it might also create an Orwellian, Big Brother culture. All medical developments are meant to solve a problem. It is estimated that as often as 80% of the time, patients fail to use medication as directed for…
Read MoreWhy You Need to Know About the New Prescription Drug Monitoring Act
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar co-introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) which was signed into law by President Obama last month. Now she’s co-introduced the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act which would mandate that doctors use prescription drug monitoring programs when prescribing painkillers to a patient for the first time. What are Prescription Monitoring Programs…
Read MoreThis is How Heroin and Prescription Opioids Are Different
Patrick Clarke, of Rockville, is correct in his letter to the Washington Post‘s editor. Heroin is not the same thing as prescription opioids. There’s a huge difference. I’m not talking only about the pharmacology. I’m talking about the reasons why people use heroin and prescription opioids. Heroin and Opioids Are Different Heroin is most commonly used…
Read MorePromising Drugs on the Horizon
Scientists at Tulane University and the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System are working on a new painkiller that would be safer and not be addictive. Research like this should give everyone hope. There are a number of promising drugs in development, such as this one, that could replace the current type of opioids. The…
Read MoreThis is the Reason Chris Bell’s Sobriety is Important
Thank you to the LA Times for recently running a story about Chris Bell. Chris Bell was producing a documentary about prescription drug abuse. Bell wasn’t only making a documentary about the problem. He was also living it. Bell was using alcohol in combination with Xanax which led to a decline similar to the one…
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