Can pharmacies combat prescription drug abuse by refusing to fill orders?  Some pharmacies in Florida seem to think so.

Some CVS and Walgreen’s locations in Florida are refusing to fill oxycodone prescriptions for patients they believe are abusing the medication.  The pharmacies have stated that oxycodone is often overprescribed by doctors, and while it helps people cope with chronic pain, it is highly addictive.

Florida has an estimated sale of 400 million tablets of oxycodone every year, the highest of any state in the U.S.

Patients have lashed out against the pharmacies, understandably upset by the refusal to fill much-needed pain prescriptions. However, the pharmacies maintain that they are only fulfilling their duty to protect patents from unnecessary medication.

CVS reportedly sent letters to a number of Florida doctors informing them that they will no longer fill any narcotic prescriptions they order. Additionally, Walgreen’s could not provide any specific reason why its Lee County, FL locations are refusing these prescriptions, saying only that they “allow [their] pharmacists to use their professional judgment when dispensing all medications.”

As trusted Houston pharmacy error lawyers, we support the fight against prescription drug abuse.  However, we do not believe innocent people must be forced to suffer because the pharmacy will not dispense their pain medication.

If you believe that your pharmacist is guilty of malpractice, contact a board-certified medication error lawyer at Kennedy Hodges today at 888-526-7616.