KASPER (Kentucky’s
All Schedule Prescription Electronic
Reporting System) is the newest system in line for Kentucky’s
ongoing war against prescription drugs. Doctor shopping has become a prevalent
way of many substance abusers to get their fix. Pharmacies that sell Sudafed
and other over the counter drugs have also moved many of these behind the
counter and added to the KASPER system to prevent precursor medication from
reaching the chemists that make methamphetamine and other illegal drugs. This
system is in place to help prevent these situations in the state of Kentucky.
This
effort is in place to help prevent diversion of prescription drugs. These
include opioids and other pain relievers. Several independent studies have been
done to access and improve upon the system. One of the major changes that have
occurred is the absence of a social security number from patients to check
KASPER. Now all that is needed is a name and in some cases a fingerprint. This
makes the pharmacist and the patient more at ease. Pharmacists don’t have to
worry about a privacy leak and can have confidence in the medication they are
doling out that it won’t be put in the wrong hands.
A big
change in technology has benefited the law and drug enforcement agencies in the
form of PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs) that give more control to
pharmacies and the government on what can be taken and used by patients. It
hinders and slows the availability of many precursors to illegal drug
manufacturing causing a rise in price of those drugs that are already on the
market. The rise in heroin overdose and use in Kentucky can be partially
attributed to the constraints put on the prescription pain killer drug market.
It makes it very difficult for those that bought in bulk many of the precursor
medications to illegal drugs as well as helps to prevent stockpiling from one
individual.
Kasper
is not a perfect system, however. Stockpiling and other forms of diversion are
still possible. Many doctors are still in the business of prescribing
prescription pain killers at the drop of a hat which allows this trade to
continue to thrive. Those that mean these drugs for harm know exactly who to
see to get what they need to sell or to create the drugs. I think that a plan
should also be put in place to monitor doctors prescribing. I’m not sure the
constraints but I would argue they should see a patient for more than five
minutes to make a diagnosis. This would make sure that doctors follow up and
are diligent in what they are prescribing to their patients to prevent abuse. A
few more steps in the process and this could be accomplished. I’m very glad
that this program, and many like it are in place to help those who will not
help themselves end drug habits and the lies associated with prescription drug
abuse.
References:
Seth Mayfield
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