[rnmichelle]

Hi, I am looking for information so that I can make an informed decision and present it to my boss (an MD). I work at an outpatient clinic. I know that the office assistants are filling drugs (antibiotics and narcotics) which they bring over to me to give to my patients at discharge. I am sure that it is not legal for an office assistant to fill a prescription. I need written information that I can present to the doctor I work for. Not only am I concerned about my patients getting the wrong med possibly, but what is my legal responsibility when I take this med and hand it over to my patient? I have searched online but I cant find anything regarding this, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you..

[hppygr8ful]

Before I can respond to your question I need to be more clear on what is happening. Are you saying that the clerks are offering to fill prescriptions the Dr has written without his knowledge or consent or are you saying that this clinic provides medications for patients that would otherwise be unable to pay for them due to lack of resources?

Many Dr.s who own clincs keep a stock of antibiotics and pain killers like robaxin for patients who ahve no insurance and can't get their scripts filled. On the other hand if this Dr. Is providing narcotics a very serious legal issue could raise it's head and your license might be affected by you doing nothing when you knew it was going on.

When I was poor and homeless I can't count the times a dr sent me from his office with a bagfull of samples of antibiotics. After all the drug reps give the stuff to them and if it helps the patient what's the harm. The distrubution of Narcotics is a whole different matter as it is illegal and immoral.

peace and namaste

hppygr8ful