The role of disabled physicians in the diversion of controlled drugs

To test the assertion that disabled physicians are loose prescribers and clinically meaningful contributors to the diversion of controlled prescriptions, an anonymous survey of physicians in a confidential treatment program in Ohio was conducted to compare pre- and post-recovery: (1) self-reported number of controlled drug prescriptions written, and (2) self-rated appropriateness of prescribing practices. Forty (50%) of the surveyed physicians responded. Opioids alone showed a post recovery reduction in the number of prescriptions (-4.5; 95% CI: −9.5 to −0.5). The volume of prescribing in all controlled drug categories was small from both a law enforcement and clinical perspective. Respondent’s self-assessment of prescribing practices indicated conservative pre-, and more conservative post-recovery prescribing, increasing from 2.0 in stimulants (CI: 1.0-4.0), to 3.5 in sedatives (CI: 1.0-6.0). Despite limitations, this initial data provides evidence to refute the assertion that disabled physicians are loose prescribers and meaningful contributors to the diversion of controlled prescriptions.