Newname...it's absolutely legal because controlled substances and narcotics are legislated and monitored both by the DEA and the State...
That is why an actual Dr.s license can be revoked if they are not adhering to the law of dispensing narcotics. Same with a Pharmacy as they have to do things by the book and follow the same laws. This is why there are so many 'pill mills' being shut down day after day in Florida and many other States..
Laws have been tightening up year by year....and the DEA is working with each State.
In VA...all Pain Management Dr.s have to have their patients sign a Pain Management Contract if they are taking any controlled substances or narcotics.....This contract lists all of the things I listed in the post above...as well as with dismissal from their office for any violations, they do NOT have to provide any narcotics to wean you off...Only for medicines that have lethal side effects of withdrawal...
That's why Tramadol is now becoming a controlled substance in each State..it just hasn't gone into effect where you are yet....It is in VA.
As well as I've been trying to warn those who are being managed by non Pain Management Dr.s for chronic pain...They are moving towards not allowing GP's, Rheumatologists, Surgeons etc. to provide LONG TERM (over a few months...like after a surgery or initial diagnosis) pain relief with narcotics..
The reason is that only Anesthesiologists or other Pain Mgmt. Dr.s have SPECIFIC years of training and medical knowledge of these types of medicines...that is why it is their practice...
So...even though I am friends with my PM...have been going there for 5 years...never had an issue...I had to have the standard yearly (they can do more if they choose on patients) urine test. It was my first time ever having this done...My Dr. is so kind to people who don't have insurance that he worked it out with the lab to 'write off' the cost which is over $400 and some are up to $1000...because HE is not requesting this...but the DEA and my State requires this. So he feels bad for those patients who can't afford it and pays for the test...
As well as monthly or every visit pill counts...again...if the Dr. does not follow these procedures to the tee....he can lose his license..
I also mentioned in another post about
the State Prescript
ion Monitoring system..This is where any Pharmacy or Dr. can ask them to pull up your name and it will show any other place you were dispensed medicine...this keeps the 'Dr. shoppers' at bay...They are hoping to move it to nationwide eventually...
So....in your State certain things may not be mandatory yet...you can look online if you choose.
But it's all legal..and even though it's more paperwork and monitoring by the Dr. on his end...My Dr. and his colleagues don't mind as it's helping to weed out those abusing the system so they can spend more time and effort on those of us with true chronic pain!..
I certainly don't mind it at all as it's not a big deal to me to bring my meds on a visit..Yes..they 'can' call anyone at any time to do this...but usually don't for those they trust..and only have them bring it to the actual scheduled appt.
For those of us who do everything by the book, like yourself...it's not a big deal..
SB and "the pup who snores loudly"
ACDF C5-C7, (no hardware), with autograft bone Nov. 2001
(reabsorption of bone 2 years later...still lost in body..expect to burp it out at anytime..haha"))
ACDF with hardware, allograft bone Nov. 2005
Anterior and Posterior CDF, allograft bone with BMP, removal of old hardware, use of titanium plates, rods, screws, & kitchen sink (lol) Oct 2006