Personal Drug Diversion of Narcotics by Physicians:

Abstract

Diversion of opioids and other controlled substances for personal use by physicians poses a risk to patient health, safety and welfare, as well as the health and well-being of the physicians themselves. This type of diversion places patients at risk for infectious disease transmission, substandard patient care, and/or denial of medication. State medical boards (SMBs) have an obligation to ensure that the highest quality of care is provided to all patients, which includes a multifaceted role in investigating, monitoring and disciplining physicians and a responsibility to make concerted efforts to prevent harm to patients. Thus, SMBs are an integral part of the process when a physician is suspected of being impaired. Implementation of both preventive and responsive measures is crucial in attempting to not only avoid physician drug diversion, but to effectively address drug diversion when it occurs. In April 2011, the House of Delegates of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) adopted its Policy on Physician Impairment. The policy provides guidance for state medical and osteopathic boards on the inclusion of physician health programs (PHPs) to facilitate evaluation, recovery and rehabilitation and monitoring of physicians, as well as to protect the public from impaired physicians. This article reviews the problem of controlled-substances diversion by physicians and its adverse effect on public and personal safety, and it demonstrates how SMBs or other parties can use the FSMB Policy on Physician Impairment as a guide to develop their own professional assistance programs to ensure public safety.