M. Lapeyremestre et al., FALSIFIED OR FORGED MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS AS AN INDICATOR OF PHARMACODEPENDENCE - A PILOT-STUDY, European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 52(1), 1997, pp. 37-39
Objective: While data on drug abuse liability have been determined for
selected drugs in experimental studies, there is limited information
available about drug abuse in real life. This study presents the resul
ts of a simple experimental epidemiologic survey of prescription forge
ries in community pharmacies in the Midi-Pyrenees area (southwest Fran
ce). During four periods (September-October 1991, January-June 1992, S
eptember-October 1992 and January-June 1993), resident pharmacy studen
ts in several volunteer pharmacies were asked to complete a specific r
eport form for each suspect prescription request. The main criteria us
ed to identify forgeries were: inadequate dosage, multiple use of the
prescription form, drafting not in accordance with the rules of prescr
iption or false prescription forms (stolen prescription forms, photoco
pies). Results: A total of 165 falsified prescriptions were collected.
The 305 drugs involved in these forged prescriptions were opiate anal
gesics, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and minor opiate analgesics. Med
ications were essentially buprenorphine, flunitrazepam (in 2 mg dosage
), phenobarbitone+amphetamine and chlorazepate. Conclusion: These resu
lts suggest that forged prescriptions can be used as an indicator of p
otential abuse liability of marketed psychoactive drugs. Although this
survey cannot describe the real prevalence of the misuse or abuse of
drugs, it constitutes a useful warning epidemiologic system to elicit
early observations regarding new misuses of drugs as they are requeste
d at the pharmacy.