Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8575

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Abuse of medicines. Part 2. Prescription medicines
Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1976 Feb; 10:94-110

Abstract:

In part 2 of a 3 part report by a working party, 1975 Council of Europe European Public Health Community on abuse of medicines, prescription medicines are discussed in detail. Abuse of prescription medicines by the prescriber (overprescribing, underprescribing, multiple prescribing, incorrect prescribing, exposure of the physician to external pressures deliberately exerted upon him, and measures to counter abuse); abuse of prescription medicines by the patient (patterns of abuse, consultation of more than one physician, combination of prescription treatment with self-medication, use of prescribed medicines for nontherapeutic purposes, self-medication with prescription medicines, suicide and deliberate self-injury with medicines, and measures to counter abuse); abuse of prescription medicines by manufacturers; and abuse of prescription medicines at distribution level (correction of abuses) are discussed in detail.