FALSIFIED OR FORGED MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS AS AN INDICATOR OF PHARMACODEPENDENCE - A PILOT-STUDY

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.