Did Not Bring In Wrappers Or Count Is Not Correct
(i.e. lost some of the wrappers)
The Alabama Board of Medicine requires me to do all possible activities to cut down on the diversion or misuse of the medication I prescribe. Therefore, I only prescribe Suboxone films because it prevents a lot of diversion and misuse of the medications in Suboxone. A patient is more likely to sell or trade the films still inside their wrappers to prevent the medication from being destroyed or dissolving. By requiring the patient to bring back in the empty wrappers, it is a cost efficient way to decrease the chances of diversion. It is also an easy way to assess if the patient is using the medication as directed based on the amount of films left verses the amount of empty wrappers.
Obviously, if someone is set on diverting the medication, they will find a way to do so. I cannot account for every way.
If someone forgets their films, I will give the patient one week’s prescription and will schedule an appointment for one week out. When the patient comes to that appointment the wrappers for the past week and any unused medication will be required to be brought in. if this count is correct, I will then give a one month prescription and make the next appointment for one month out.
If the patient does not bring in the correct amount, we will do weekly visits until the patient has brought in the correct wrappers and/or films for two consecutive weeks. If four weeks passes and the patient is still not bringing in the correct amount of empty wrappers and unused films, a decision will be made if the patient will be allowed to continue treatment in my program.
In any six month period the patient has two or more episodes of incorrect counts or forgets to bring in wrappers and unused medication, an assessment will be made if I will continue to treat the patient.
Obviously, if someone is set on diverting the medication, they will find a way to do so. I cannot account for every way.
If someone forgets their films, I will give the patient one week’s prescription and will schedule an appointment for one week out. When the patient comes to that appointment the wrappers for the past week and any unused medication will be required to be brought in. if this count is correct, I will then give a one month prescription and make the next appointment for one month out.
If the patient does not bring in the correct amount, we will do weekly visits until the patient has brought in the correct wrappers and/or films for two consecutive weeks. If four weeks passes and the patient is still not bringing in the correct amount of empty wrappers and unused films, a decision will be made if the patient will be allowed to continue treatment in my program.
In any six month period the patient has two or more episodes of incorrect counts or forgets to bring in wrappers and unused medication, an assessment will be made if I will continue to treat the patient.