New York City’s mayoral election has been dogged by scandal, but we didn’t think the election cycle would include anything of interest for DecisionHealth Daily and its faithful readers.
 
And then we received a press release from the HHS Office of Inspector General announcing the arrest of Kristin Davis, a candidate for Comptroller of the Big Apple. She’s charged with selling prescription narcotics:
 
“As alleged, Kristin Davis sold dangerous and highly-addictive prescription pills to a known drug dealer on repeated occasions in exchange for cash.”
 
We’re sorry we doubted you, New York.
 
What does this have to do with medical providers you ask? Two things we think. One, it serves as a reminder that prescription drug abuse is a huge problem in this country and it has sparked what we call the War on Drugs II. More importantly, it shows that providers must monitor patients who are on these drugs to make sure they are taking them as prescribed. It isn’t just the patients who take too many pills that may bring law enforcement agents to your door.
 
Need more guidance on treating patients with chronic pain? Be sure to check out the Anesthesia & Pain Coder’s Pink Sheet.