Medical Board and Medical Malfeasance

Is it a good idea to have non physicians looking over the shoulder of doctors?

Salem-News.com

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - The Oregonian newspaper and its continual reports of malfeasance amaze me. The latest headline report in the Oregonian states, Prescriptions May Play Role in Opioid Abuse by Joe Rojas-Burke.

In the first place, opioids such as Demeral, Fentanyl, Methadone etc., are not derived from opium but act like it. That's why they are called opioids. In other words, like opiates, which are derived from opium. These include Morphine, Codeine, Heroin and Oxycodone. Even the Nursing Handbooks of Drugs pages 51 and 359 fail to state the distinction. So does Mr. Rojas-Burke. Even the drug package inserts seem to use opioids for all narcotics.

All of this being said, let's get back to the article. Joe Rojas-Burke writes that Oxycodone and Hydrocodone killed 14,000 Americans in 2008. More than heroin and cocaine combined! By the way marijuana NEVER killed anybody in 5,000 years of use.

Rojas-Burke reports that Oregon is one of the states with the greatest opiate use at 6.8% which is only exceeded by Oklahoma with 8.1%. Oregon is one of the leading states of doctors prescribning these drugs. Another statistis is that in Oregon the tendency is toward the most potent drugs such as Dilaudid and Oxycontin, the real KILLERS.

I wrote a story about this for the Oregonian more than fifty years ago. Oregon has three of the most dangerous industries; fishing, lumberin abd construction. These produce massive amounts of severe injuries and deaths.

Another factoid is the statistic that in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) 70% or at least 35.000 patients use medical marijuana for severe pain. These patients do not use Oxycontin, etc.

One rather strange part of the article is a statement by Jary Schnabel, Oregon Pharmacy Board Executive Director, who says, "The entrenched way of providing medical care: doctor visits once or twice a year; is a problem for chronic pain patients". He says, "The ideal is a team-based treatment with nurses, social workers and pharmacists, (but no physicians) staying in contact with patients between doctor visits."

Is that a good idea with non physicians looking over the shoulder of doctors?

To think that all of this obvious medical malpractice; narcotic drug prescriptions is occurring right in front of the Oregon Medical Board is astounding. Considering that it is factual and known to the CDC and also the federal government. In the meantime, the Oregon Medical Board is hassling medical marijuana doctors and their patients indirectly. At the same time, marijuana/cannabis never killed anybody.

More information on the history of Dr. Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of WWII about his own experiences "from a foxhole". Order the book by mail by following this link: DOGFACE SOLDIER OF WWII If you are a World War II history buff, you don't want to miss it.

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November 4, 2011 11:51 pm (Pacific time)

The rate of drug use is not as important a factor, I would think, as the AMOUNT of usage.  Someone with chronic pain taking 10 mg daily or less is significantly different that someone using 80 mg. or MORE daily.  I agree that if someone is under the care of a doctor, why the hell should anyone else be able to "monitor" the relationship.  I know people who have been disabled for decades and have been stable using low doses are drugs who do not deserve to have to be treated like they are abusing or potentially abusing their prescription.

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