USPS Delays: Stockpile Those Drugs

You probably saw recent headlines about US Postal Service delivery delays endangering patients who ran out of medications. Many other circumstances can produce the same result. I have therefor argued before that patients should keep at least an extra week of medication for such emergencies, and their prescribers should encourage them to do so as well.

Prescribers who conduct "pill counts," deluding themselves that they thus prevent diversion should allow for this emergency supply. Prescribers should also allow for early refills and should not require office visits prior to refilling prescriptions to assure that patients do not run out of medication.

Prescribers would do well to recite the Serenity Prayer before ordering every prescription.

Berry Edwards, MD