Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-15
IMPORTANT RULING
ON HARRISON DRUG ACT
Physician Held TO "Dispense" Mar
cotics When lie Writes Pre-.
scriptiOn.
GOOD FAITH MUST BE SHOWN
Prescriptions for Persons Addicted
to Drug Habit Should BE in Con.
stantly Decreasing Quantities.
Dealers Must Exercise Caution.

Richard G. L. Moncure Collector OF
trict of Virginia. has just received
from the commissioner at Washington
a construction Of the provisions of the
Harrison act, recently effective. in re-
gard to tho quantity of narcotic drugs
that may he prescribed by physician
tered under the provisions Of the act,
for the use OF patients upon whom nc
has personally" attended. The letter
is in part as follows:
This office constructs tho words
dispensed. distributed, or prescribed
used In the act, as synonymous and
that physician, dentist or veterinary
surgeon 'dispenses' within the mean
ing of the law when he writes "a pre-
scription calling for any of the mar
cotic drugs to be filled by a registered
dealer
while the law does not limit or state
the quantity of any of the narcotic
drugs that may he so dispensed or
prescribed at one time. il does provide
that 1t shall be unlawful to obtain by
means OF order forms any of the aforc-
said drugs for any purpose other than
the use, sale or distribution thereof, I'm
the conduct of a lawful business In
said drugs. or in the legitimate prac-
tice of his profession Further. that
all preparations and remedies contain
ing narcotic drugs coming within the
scope Of this act are sold, distributed,
given away dispensed, or possessed a
medicines and not for the purpose of
cvadinE the intentions and provisions
Of this act and ii is further provided
that it shall be unlawful for any per-
son not registered to have in his
possession or under his control any
of drugs. preparations, or remedies
which have not. been prescribed in
good faith by physician. dentist. or
veterinary surgeon registered under
the act
SHOULD SHOW PURPOSE:
on EVERY PRESCRIPTION
"Thercforc. where a physician. den
fist. or veterinarian prescribes any Of
the aforesaid drugs in q quantity, ap-
parently more than is necessary to meet
the immediate needs of a patient in
the ordinary case, or where IL is for
the treatment OF nm addict or habitue
to effect a cure, or for n patient suffer
ing from an incurable or chronic dis
case. such physician, dentist or vet
Urinary surgeon should indicate on the
prescription the purpose for which the
unusual quantity of the drug so pre-
scribed is to he used In cases of
treatment Of addicts. these prescrip-
tons should. show the good faith of
the physician in the legitimate prac-
tice of his profession by decreasing
dosage or reduction of the quantity
prescribed from time to time. while,
on the other hand. I'm cases of chronic
or incurable diseases, such prescrip-
lions might show an ascending dosage
or increased quantity. Registered
dealers filling such prescriptions should
assure themselves that the drugs are
prescribed in good faith for the pur-
pose Indicated thereon, and If there is
reason to suspect that the prescriptions
are written for the purpose Of evading
the intentions Of the law. such dealers
should refuse to MI same"