The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-08
OWNERSHIP OF PRESCRIPTIONS.

After having read the comments on the
mueh-disputed three-sided subject of owner
ship of prescriptions, in the Sunday Journal,
Nov. a. 1 feel interested, for two reasons.
in saying a few words.
First-Owing to the prevailing misconcep-
ton OF the true nature and mission of the
physicians prescription, physicians have
many experiences which are neither agree
able, profitable nor just.
Second-Most of what has been said by
physicians and druggists on the subject has
been said through the columns of medical
and pharmaceutical journals and has con-
sequently never reached the public.
When "a physician has examined patient
with reference to his temperament, sus-
capabilities, predisposition and morbid
condition, etc, he then considers the indi-
cations for treatment and the proper mode
of meeting those indications according TO
his best judgment. When he prescribes he
rrescribes for the patient examined only
and with reference to the morbid condition
existing at the time. He may dispense the
medicine himself I'm his office, give the drug
gist an oral order for 1t, or write a pre-
scription for ii, just best suits his con-
venience. In either case the patient gets
the medicine with directions, and has re-
ceived all that the physician intended he
should have. IL a prescription Is written Ii
is simply a confidential order from the ply
stefan TO the druggist for certain medicine,
with directions When the druggist has
filled the prescription according TO its writ
ing and the patient has received the result
he has received all that was intended for
him, and the druggist has no further legit-
innate use for the prescription, except to file
away for their mutual protection and the
physicians convenience II he should wish
to have It refilled. The patient does not
studied application OF 1t to his peculiar,
morbid condition at the time. The physi-
clan neither sells the prescription to the
patient-unless ii Is specifically stated-nor
gives IL to the druggist. BY the time the
patient has taken the prescription accord
ing to directions his condition may have so
changed as to make further use of the med
icine valueless, consequently Ii should not
be refilled without the physicians order. as
Any Interpretation of this question, ex-
cept that which is in strict accord with the
physicians intention and purpose, is both
absurd and vicious, for ii may lead to most
lamentable results TO the patient and most
unjust criticism Of the physician Here is a
case in point: Almost a year after a ply
stefan has entered into family in the ca
pacity of family physician, he Is surprised
to accidentally learn that one member of
the family is taking an active hypnotic
Upon being questioned as to who gave II TO
her, ETC., she states that her former family
Since and She had been having it refilled
whenever she wished. The former family
physician was completely ignorant OF the
cept what he had originally prescribed to
meet temporary Indication; and the
patient being ignorant of its remote ef-
fects was perfectly unconscious of the fact
that she was taking IL more from habit
than actual need. Both the former family
physician and the attending physician
were held responsible for a state Of things
which was due entirely TO the prevailing
loose manner of handling prescriptions.
Again: a physician writes a prescription
for an alcoholic stimulant to meet a tenn
porary Indication. The druggist claims the
prescription and refills IL as often as IL is
called FOR, or the patient claims the pre-
scriptiors, a copy, and has Ii reflled as
often as suits his appetite. The author OF
that prescription is made responsible for
evading the law. while he Is ignorant of
the fact that his prescription has been APP
piled TO such a base use.
Thus il may be seen that the only safe
place for a prescription is under the con-
troll OF the physician who writes IL. He is
the one who is supposed to understand the
purpose and application for which it was
intended. II Is high time that physicians
upon having this matter properly UNDER
stood. sharp instrument will cut much
deeper the wrong way than the right. And
the most potent instruments for the accom-
plishment of good are far more potent for
evil when guided by ignorance and a mis-
ton OF this question is in possession OF the
physician, and when the time comes when
either the patient or druggist can take their
prescriptions from under their control and
through ignorance of their nature and an
plication. convert them into battle-axes
against the reputation OF their authors. IL
is time for physicians to cease 10 write
them. HOMO.
Columbus. Ind Dec &