Court Opinion

ID: 9717363
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 07:02:18.626424+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:52.857688
License: Public Domain

DICKSON, Justice,
concurring.
I concur separately to reflect my understanding that by our opinion today this Court does not intend to unequivocally declare that physicians generally have no duty toward unknown third persons fore-seeably at risk of injury resulting from the negligent administration or prescription of medication.
In treating patients, the Indiana Medical Licensing Board requires that physicians provide treatment "based upon generally accepted scientific principles, methods, treatments, and current professional theory and practice." 844 Ind.Administrative Code § 5-1-2(d) (1991). Among such generally accepted practice, the Preamble to the American Medical Association Principles of Medical Ethics 1 includes the following declaration:
As a member of this profession, a physician must recognize responsibility not only to patients, but also to society, to other health professionals, and to self. (Emphasis added.)
Whether in determining a course of drug therapy for a patient, in implementing such medication program, or in providing adequate warnings to a patient or others, a physician's duty to third persons should be evaluated in the same manner as it is generally. There exists no absolute immunity for that aspect of medical care which relates to prescription drugs. Assuming our opinion is not inconsistent with this view, I concur.

. These Principles of Medical Ethics have also been expressly incorporated in the bylaws of the Indiana State Medical Association. 76 J.Ind.St. Med.A. 93 (1983).