Drug Laws

Drug Laws

Drug law violations account for most instances in which physicians lose their medical licenses or go to jail. Drug law enforcement against physicians is often done by the same agents who pursue drug dealers. These agents do not show the same deference to physicians as do boards of medical examiners' investigators.

Drugs are a particularly touchy area for nonphysician practice. The states vary widely in the laws governing prescribing and dispensing drugs; some allow limited prescribing by nurse-practitioners or physician's assistants, but most do not. Some laws are inconsistent, perhaps allowing prescribing or dispensing by individuals who are prohibited from this by the medical or nursing practice act. As a rule, a physician should not allow a PE to write prescriptions and should not allow dispensing except under strict protocol.

Office dispensing has been casual in the past, but heightened awareness of the role of prescription drugs in drug addiction is causing states and the federal government to tighten drug laws and their enforcement. For example, the federal regulations on distributing drug samples are much more restrictive than in the past. A physician's signature and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number are required before the drug company representative may leave samples of prescription drugs. These samples must be kept secure and dispensed in the same manner as other prescription drugs. Some states require samples to be dispensed personally by physicians.

Physicians should contact their state board of pharmacy and local office of the DEA to obtain a copy of the restrictions on prescribing drugs. If a clinic or physician group plans to buy drugs in bulk and package them for dispensing, it should inquire about a pharmacy or dispensing license and a federal repackaging permit. Most states allow physicians to dispense drugs if they bottle and label the pills personally and give them to the patient directly, but the states are increasing the physician's record-keeping requirements.

Law and the Physician Homepage
Copyright 1993 - NOT UPDATED
The Climate Change and Public Health Law Site
The Best on the WWW Since 1995!
Copyright as to non-public domain materials
See DR-KATE.COM for home hurricane and disaster preparation
See WWW.EPR-ART.COM for photography of southern Louisiana and Hurricane Katrina
Professor Edward P. Richards, III, JD, MPH - Webmaster

Provide Website Feedback - https://www.lsu.edu/feedback
Privacy Statement - https://www.lsu.edu/privacy
Accessibility Statement - https://www.lsu.edu/accessibility

Home

Climate Change Project

Table of Contents

Courses

Search

Drug Laws