Physicians are in a position of authority, and they must answer to state authorities in addition to their patients. In some cases, they may put legal compliance ahead of their patients’ needs or desires. For example, physicians may decline to prescribe potentially useful medications or may abruptly end a patient’s treatment. Psychiatric medications, drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pain medications are among those that are subject to intense regulatory oversight.
If a physician refuses to work with a patient, they may choose to look for a new doctor. Those hunting for a new physician must be careful not to cross the line and engage in doctor shopping.
What is doctor shopping?
Doctor shopping is the practice of seeing multiple physicians in pursuit of specific medications or treatments. Specifically, doctor shopping often involves misrepresenting a patient’s circumstances and lying about their current medical relationships.
Patients generally have an obligation to present honest and thorough information to their physicians. Particularly when it comes to prescribed medications, accurate disclosure is critical. If a patient lies about having a prescription from within the last 30 days, they could be at risk of prosecution.
There are state databases that track prescriptions, meaning that even those who see doctors in different counties could end up accused of drug-seeking behavior. Responding appropriately to drug charges, including those related to prescription medications, can help people avoid the life-altering consequences of a conviction.
Those who have chronic medical challenges are at high risk of prosecution related to their treatment. Patients accused of doctor shopping and other forms of drug-seeking behavior may need help fighting their pending drug charges, and that’s okay.
