Pharmacists are familiar with state and federal regulations for distributing prescription medications. These include drugs that the federal government calls controlled substances, including opioid analgesics, CNS depressants and stimulants. The pharmacist works hard to make sure these medications are used properly by patients who need them — and to keep them out of the hands of people who intend to use the drugs for non-medical reasons.

Because pharmacies have many different kinds of medications on hand, people who abuse prescription drugs will sometimes try to forge or alter prescriptions to get these drugs. It's a pharmacist's responsibility to make sure that prescriptions are real before filling them. They also have the responsibility to work with doctors, and if necessary the police, to prevent non-medical use of these medications.

Experience, knowledge, and communication and observation skills help pharmacists play an essential role in helping to prevent prescription drug abuse.

Here is some other information on prescription drugs that you may find helpful. This information may help you understand what they are and why they are available only through a doctor or other healthcare professional. The Pharmacist Preventing Misuse Preventing Abuse

 

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