dea blacklist

Posts: 21
Joined: 2006-07-18

what is the dea black list and how or who is put on it and what for? i heard that you can be put on the list for doctor shoping. im not sure if that is even what it is or is it a form for otc meds or prescription meds?




Da Purdue Pharma cist's picture
Posts: 355
Joined: 2006-03-21
DEA

As far as I know DEA Blacklisting is when a doctor rules that a patient main objective is to feed an addiction or doctor shop. Once you are put on a black list it is somewhat impossible to get pain medication even for legitimate reasons. You can also be listed if you try to file malpractice or any other negligence law suit.

A patient being blacklisted can go from doctor to doctor to doctor without getting diagnosed or treated and never know why. Blacklisting can result in permanent harm or even death and can be criminally illegal. 

My comments are my opinions based on the questions posted on this message board and should be taken purely as is and not as medical gospal. Please consult medical concerns with medical proffesionals. Thank You!




Posts: 21
Joined: 2006-07-18
are you saying

are you telling me that if you were to be put on a dea list that you would be refused treatment and could die? a friend of mine has a hernia in his groin regon and hes affraid of surgery he thinks it might be torn. all he does is go to the hospital and to his family doctor tring to get pain meds and muscle relaxants to curb the constant pain. he gets a heads up from the hospital saying that he is on some sort of list for going to various hospitals in our area for pain meds. so what my question is: is this illegal for them to not help him?



phisher's picture
Posts: 2219
Joined: 2006-03-20
not exactly agaisnt the law.

not exactly agaisnt the law. it depends what you mean by help.

doctors/clinics/hospitals DO have the responsibility of treating patients no matter what the situation. However this doesn't mean that they have to treat w/ opiates or other medications of the patients choice. there are many non-narcotic options they can choose from.

sometimes hospitals do put the "frequent fly-er" tags on patients and this usually gives the doctors a good heads up of why they might be there. also sometimes the DEA will watch for patients getting multiple rx's filled at different pharmacy's from different doctors. However i am not familiar w/ the DEA actually teaming up w/ the medical professionals to tell them what to and not to rx. so i stand a bit skeptical on that aspect.

if your friend has a hernia it is very important that he get it fixed asap. hernias that protrude a long time can cause infection and make extremely ill or even kill. also doctor shopping at ER's will get extremely expensive since they aren't cheap. be a friend and get the guy some help. 


all thoughts and opinions expressed are those of my own and should not be mistaken for medical advice. i am not a doctor nor a pharmacist. all medical questions should be answered by a licensed pharmacist, doctor, or primary care manager.



Da Purdue Pharma cist's picture
Posts: 355
Joined: 2006-03-21
Very insightful post

Very insightful post phiser.... but there are instances of where people have been refused treatment just because of malpractice accusations, but when it comes to medication the only thing to really be concerned about is becoming addicted to opiate pain meds. If there are medical reasons for the route of treatment then all should be fine unless like phisher said patients start to doctor shop.

My opinion is that a lawyer would have a field day if a patient claimed no treatment was provided and detramental patient information had been passed along for a legitimate prov-en diagnosis or medical reason. So in conclusion I believe that those doctors that practice this kind of patient gossip walk a fine line and can be held acountable for their actions, although the doctors do have the right to refuse treating a patient, the reason is what we should all pay attention and give as much light too.

My comments are my opinions based on the questions posted on this message board and should be taken purely as is and not as medical gospal. Please consult medical concerns with medical proffesionals. Thank You!




phisher's picture
Posts: 2219
Joined: 2006-03-20
as far as "malpractice

yes you are correct and i see where you are coming from. 

as far as "malpractice accusations" are concerned, then that is completely different. i could see a doctor refusing certain services for that depending on the situation. for example; someone who has had four or five failed back surgeries, then i am sure any wise surgeon would refuse a fifth or sixth. i was more referring to a patient walking into a doctors office and the doctor just flat out saying "no", or "i wont refer you to another doctor, give you zantac, anything".  though to be honest i am not sure exactly how that works and it is probably a bit different from state to state.

and just to clarify my earlier post when i mentioned the DEA not specifically attempting to dictate physicians rx, what i meant is that i personally didn't believe that DEA would attempt to impose certain restrictions on particular individuals/patients.  it goes w/out say that there are a ton of cases of the DEA telling doctors to "cool it" b/c of their over zealous rx writing.


all thoughts and opinions expressed are those of my own and should not be mistaken for medical advice. i am not a doctor nor a pharmacist. all medical questions should be answered by a licensed pharmacist, doctor, or primary care manager.



Posts: 21
Joined: 2006-07-18
thank you for your insight

thank you for your insight this is a good site for research and forum topics



jeniferlynn's picture
Posts: 79
Joined: 2006-09-27
DEA Blacklist

I was wondering that if someone was put on this DEA blacklist, is there a way for that individual to find out for sure if they are on the list? Is their a way to find out exactly what they are on the list for. Any information would be appreciated.



gtrplayer's picture
Posts: 2678
Joined: 2006-08-22
Funny thing about

Funny thing about researching the list is that the first two results on a google search send you to this page.

 

gtrplayer




Posts: 21
Joined: 2006-07-18
How i found out about this

How i found out about this is a friend of mine is in severe pain after a car accident she was taking all kinds of meds from imeadiate relese oxycodone to loritab to hydrocodone, you name it she was on it the doctor even told her to count how many times a day she would need to take the meds. so it was to she was getting 240 ir oxycodone 5mg once a month and vicoden 10mg also once a month so she said just out of the blue the doc came in and said that she was being put on the list that she should be careful. now they cut her completely off and she can barely move and she cant get any doctor to give her addiquate pain meds. 




gtrplayer's picture
Posts: 2678
Joined: 2006-08-22
This is only an opinion, but

This is only an opinion But a couple of websites that deal with this type of thing are listed here. I self editted as I think I inadvertantly gave advice that is a little off topicThis link will take you to their website.

There is also The American Pain Foundation Both of these groups have resources concerning pain patients as well as caregivers of those in pain, code of ethics, and what to do if your pain is not being treated. In my opinion only, this is where your friend should look

gtrplayer




Posts: 135
Joined: 2006-08-17
Disturbing

I have no doubt that this occurs, I feel a insecure spot inside me that my "needed" pain meds will or could be pulled out from underneath me. It is unjust- and dr's will make you dr shop so to speak because they do not want your case or are baffled by it. In the last 3 years-since my accident- I have seen 24 different doctors, surgeons & neurologist's. All to the chain of command to being to "this is who we have to refere you too."-I have heard that way too many times. Finally went to the best Neurosurgeon & practice I could find-they took my case, did many procedures, mri's only to conclude-after a conferance with the all the dr.s at that hospital my case was way to multi faceted & way too risky. I saw a physiatrist, who wanted to cut the nerves in my neck, & I express to him I was emotionally & physically tired & quite frankly -PROCEDURED OUT.He accepted that last april after my 2nd visit with him & I was determined to fight and pick up my mat, do P.T. yadda, yadda -then in August I sat 4 hours in the waiting room feeling abandoned , after I registered with the front desk. My husband was disturbed it was 4:30pm (my time was 12:45pm) They took me last & said the front desk did not tell them I was their-(ya right) I could sense arrogance & reluctance on the Dr's part.And that was obvious when I was told after examination -see you in 6 months-got a script for norco.It had 1 refill, 3 a day.I called to talked to his nurse, who now was handling 4 different Dr.'s and misunderstood me, as I was placed on hold, she was interuptted, and our conversation was like a huge misunderstanding. I needed to ask ?'s -but I got burned, big time. So what next? of course you have to look for ANOTHER DOCTOR.So I guess being "custodial" care & not wanting my nerves severed in my neck-bottom line is adious. Has any one else experianced this kind of treatment? I am sorry to go on & on -thank you for listening and giving this topic any type of feedback. thankyou all so kindly-Teri




Posts: 111
Joined: 2006-05-28
WOW! HERE IS DISTURBING!

WELL, FLORIDA HAS ABOUT THE WORST (STRICTEST) POLICY OF WATCHING DR.'S AND PATIENTS/SCRIPTS...BUT THERE WAS JUST A DATELINE SPECIAL THAT WOULD BLOW YOU AWAY! GUY MOVES DOWN HERE TO FLA FROM N.Y. WHERE HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN ON A LOT OF PAIN MED THERE. HE CAN NOT REALLY WALK W/OUT THE MED...WHEELCHAIR BOUND, BUT W/MED HE HOBBLES ABOUT, WAS EVEN SHOWN ON PHARM CAMERA DURING THIS SHOW. ANYWAY, THE N.Y. DR. WAS APPARANTLY SENDING HIM "UNDATED" SCRIPTS SO HE WOULD NEVER FIND HIMSELF IN BAD SHAPE AS THE FLA DOCS HE WENT TO UPON MOVING HERE TOLD HIM, "THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN RX YOU THIS AMOUNT OF MED...THEY WILL FLAG US". OF COURSE WHEN THE "BUST" WENT DOWN, DATELINE SAID THE N.Y. DOC WAS SCARED TO LOSE HIS LICENSE (FOR SENDING SOMEWHAT BLANK SCRIPTS) OUT TO A STATE HE WAS NOT EVEN A LICENSED PHYSICIAN IN...SO HE LAWYERED UP AND LIED, SAID THE SCRIPTS WERE STOLEN, FORGED...THE GUY WAS OFFERED A SWEETHEART DEAL, AFTER HAVING BEEN CHARGED W/VERY SERIOUS CRIMES B/C OF QUANTITIES (TRAFFICKING, ETC.), EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NEVER ANY EVIDENCE OR WITNESS TESTIMONY THAT HE DID ANY SELLING/DEALING...HE WAS A LAWYER HIMSELF, A HUSBAND AND DAD TO YOUNG KIDS, HE HAD BEEN IN A HORRIBLE CAR WRECK. THE DEAL WOULD BE TO PLEAD TO JUST A MINOR CRIME, A SMALL ASPECT OF THE CASE AND HE WOULD WALK...NO JAIL. HE TOLD DATELINE THAT THE PAIN GETS SO BAD HE WANTS TO KILL HIMSELF AT TIMES, THAT ONLY B/C OF THE MED CAN HE EVEN COPE...WELL, THE CATCH? PLEADING EVEN TO THE MOST MINOR OF CHARGES RELATED TO ANY SCRIPT FRAUD MEANT HE WOULD BE "BLACK LISTED" BEING A LAWYER HE KNEW THE RULES/RAMIFICATIONS OF PLEADING GUILTY. HE COULD NOT LIVE LIKE THAT, SO HE WENT TO TRIAL...HE WAS FOUND GUILTY (BY JURORS WHO WERE INTERVIEWED AND FEEL LIKE HELL NOW, AS THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW SERIOUS THE PENALTIES WERE, AND HAD BEEN CONVINCED BY THE D.A. THAT NOBODY COULD TAKE THAT MANY PILLS A DAY) AND WAS SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON...YES, THAT IS 25 YRS! WHY THE STORY? WHAT WAS DATELINES BIG MOMENT? WELL... HE NOW RECEIVES HIS DAILY DOSES OF OPIATES COMPLIMENTS OF THE FL. DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS, YUP, AT TAX PAYERS EXPENSE AND AN EVEN LARGER/STRONGER AMOUNT THAN WHAT HE HAD BEEN ON!!! OF COURSE IT IS BEING APPEALED AND THE N.Y. DOC IS NOW BEING LOOKED AT CLOSELY AS IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT THIS GUY WAS ABLE TO GET HIS HANDS ON ALL THESE SCRIPTS (EVEN HAD A HANDWRITING EXPERT SAY THE DOC WROTE THEM EXCEPT FOR DATE). SO THAT IS THE SICK, TWISTED SYSTEM OF PRESCRIPTION PAIN MED IN THE WONDERFUL STATE OF FLORIDA...UNBELIEVABLE!



gtrplayer's picture
Posts: 2678
Joined: 2006-08-22
A little bit of research

A little bit of research will also show you that his wife is one of the spokespersons for the American Pain Association, or the Partners Against Pain.  I can't remember which one right off hand, but they list this guy's story on there as well.  I'll dig it up tomorrow, too tired right now. 

gtrplayer




Posts: 29
Joined: 2006-10-27
DEA Black List

After reading all of the posts, I believe that there are two issues at hand.  One the "Black List" is really more of a "Watch List" which is developed by the DEA as the result of several indicators. Primarily Doctor shopping, having several doctors prescribing the same medication, and utilizing several different pharmacies.  The purpose of this is to regulate controlled substances and to look for criminal violations.  In addition they search for patterns of Doctors over prescribing certain medications.  If it is detected that someone is being prescribed the same medication from several different Doctors, those Doctors are notified of the patients that are abusing the prescription medication system.  At this point, the Doctor who now feels that he/she has been taken advantage of would now document that the patient in question is "drug seeking."  Which now gets to the second part this list issue.  If you are documented by your Doctor as manipulating the prescription medication system then that will follow you along with your medical records where ever you go.  I believe that what is being discussed it is not one list but rather two.  I would imagine that the "DEA Watch List" would be limited to each state.  However, as stated earlier your medical records always follow you.  It is a shame that some doctors limit or are affraid to prescribe pain medication as a result of a few people that abuse the system.  In addition I could also see how poor communication between the doctor and patient could result in a doctor fearing to prescribe pain medication. 

 

THIS IS SOLELY MY OPINION BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE FROM SUFFERING WITH CHRONIC PAIN.




Posts: 135
Joined: 2006-08-17
Excellent Post Toto

 I understand what you are saying & I do agree with your observation.I know the "system" so to speak is used. And it jeopordizes True Chronic pain sufferer's as well as Dr's feeling compromised & their license could be under scrutiny.Pain is invisable & secludes one off to a place that is isolating.  I hope in truth that this will be resolved.My medical records speak for themself -I need to fill a medication because I have used it properly-Insurance company & my records tell the story. Thanks!




Posts: 5
Joined: 2006-11-27
Two things, 1st, is there a

Two things, 1st, is there a way to find out if you're on the list or not, and 2nd, are there any other ways to end up on the list besides being "referred" by a doctor?



Posts: 135
Joined: 2006-08-17
Good Question

 Hope some one knows the answer to this. This presents a much needed answer!




Posts: 29
Joined: 2006-10-27
blueangel

AS far as being on any type of list generated by the DEA, the public would not have access to it. That list would be considered by the agency as an investigative tool.  On the other hand, if you were on a list generated by the medical profession for abusing or suspected of abusing prescription medication I would  think that a Doctor would make you aware of it.  By doing so, that would be the justification for denying you the pain medication.  Seven1Seven dude stated in a post that a patinet had been advised of being "Black listed." by the Doctor.  He also added that the patient had later missed an appointment and at that point he discontinued prescribing pain medication.  Missing appointments are huge for Doctors prescribing pain medications.  In-fact that is often one of the conditions listed in pain medication contracts.  These contracts are becoming popular with many doctors who treat patients who suffer from chronic pain.    

 

Again these are just my theories based on my experience in dealing with chronic pain.




Posts: 21
Joined: 2006-07-18
what i dont get is this: she

what i dont get is this: she is in major back pain, the doc gave her just about everything then the doctor said ok take these and tell me how many you need a day.? (oxycodone ir 5mg) also here is a perscription for 120 hydrocodone 10/650. so the next doctor visit came and she told him what she was taking and the doc told her she would be getting 240 oxycodone a month pluss the hydrocodone. seems like alot to me but she is in alot of pain. now 3 months later the doc comes in and looks her over no change he goes out and comes back in 20 minutes later and said you have been blacklisted. but here is your perscription be careful. next month she missed her doctor app. then they cut her off like that. can they do that? now all she can get is some weak tramadol and 800mg ibprofin that barely puts a dent in the pain as she puts it.




Danielle2343's picture
Posts: 281
Joined: 2006-05-21
depends

 All I can think of raises the question.... Was she seeing more than one Dr. ? Had she been getting other scripts and filling them at separate pharmacies?

If so most Dr.s require you to sign their wavier stating that you will NOT accept pain killers from any other Dr's AND they will ONLY use 1 pharmacy to fill their script so the Dr can monitor them

If at any time a patient beaks these rules  they can be put on that list.

Again only my theory  

Danielle ~~~ in the lovely state of Florida

*** All replies to questions/comments are of my own opinion. I do not and have not ever worked in the medical field.




Posts: 21
Joined: 2006-07-18
that is it you nailed it on

that is it you nailed it on the head the doctor made her sign a waver, but she said that she didnt do anywrong she hadent seen any other doctor except one time she had a real sharp pain in her back and she went to the hospital and the doctor at the hospital asked her what she was taking and she said the oxy ir and hydrocodone 10s but she said that she didnt take them much cuz they made her itch so the doctor gave her 20 oxycodone 10/325s till she could get to her doctor appt. she said that she told the nurse at the doctors and they said that was fine and that she would tell the doctor that the oxy 5s werent working. the nurse came back with the same script(oxy 5mg and hydro 10mg) and said that the doctor was in surgery or something, that she could call him the next day. so she called the next day told the doc and he told her to pick up the script of percocet 10/325 120 of them next month she went in and thats when he told her that she was on the list and that she should be careful



gtrplayer's picture
Posts: 2678
Joined: 2006-08-22
Has anyone been able to find

Has anyone been able to find any Proof that the Drug Enforcement Agency in the United States actually has this "blacklist"? I think, In my opinion only that this is more of a case of a suspected conspiracy theory by patients, so to speak. I have not been able to find a DEA blacklist anywhere. What about doctors offices that do not use computer databases for their patients? Granted, my pain management group has huge profiles of each of their patients, which in my opinion is a good thing. But, I can not find anywhere that such a list even exists. I am only asking for a link to a credible website, not personal experiences or what their doctors have told them.

gtrplayer




jeniferlynn's picture
Posts: 79
Joined: 2006-09-27
Blacklist

Gtr, I also am still trying to find a link to any information about a DEA Blacklist and have yet to find any information on it at all.

I do know for sure though that many hospital emergency rooms have something similar to a "blacklist". The emergency rooms here document how many times you have been there, the reason for the visit, and all meds that were prescribed to you. I'm sure that most if not all ER's do this. Here in Southwest Virginia, if you visit a emergency room, before you are even taken back, the doctors review your medical history and thoroughly look at your past visits. Some doctors will refuse to see you if you are a "regular". I don't know if that is legal or not but it does happen. 

If you make too many trips to the ER for the same reason, ex, headaches, toothaches, back pain, etc. they become suspicious of you and think that you are just trying to get pain meds. This has happened to a few of my friends. One of my friends had a tooth to break off and she was in severe pain. I took her to the ER because she didn't have any insurance and couldn't afford to see a dentist. They gave her a antibiotic and pain meds to last for about 2 days. We made a appointment with a free dental clinic but the only available day that they had was 3 weeks away. After the pain meds ran out, the only option for her was to return to the ER because of the insurance problem. She explained that she had made an appointment and that she was still in pain and couldn't bear it until she could be seen at the clinic. The doctor refused to give her any more medication and also told her that he was going to "flag" her chart so that if she ever returned to the ER for any reason, the doctors would know that she previously was "flagged" for seeking pain meds. This was only her second time she was ever seen at the ER.

I have heard that this has happened to many people and have even overheard ER nurses talking about patients that have been "flagged".

anyways, sorry or the long post but I wanted you to know about  the "flagging".

  




Posts: 6
Joined: 2006-11-29
Completely Unfair

It is against the Hippocratic oath for a doctor to leave pain untreated.

they don't have to use narcotics but if a person is in pain they must do something.  What that doctor did was in my opinion unprofessional and down right rude of course I don't know the whole story.

 Personally if it was me I would be complaining to the hospital administrators and to the state medical boards.

 I have only been treated poorly by an ER doctor once and he was reported. For the most part everytime I visit a hospital in my town I am treated very well and even asked if I need pain meds. To which I always answer no as I have a pain contract and would not want to jeopardize it.




Posts: 640
Joined: 2005-07-25
Unfortunately when the

Unfortunately when the hippocratic oath meets bureaucracy, guess which one wins?