Multiple Pain Medication Prescriptions

Question

Do doctors in New York have a record of what medicines were prescribed to what person and when they were prescribed? I am asking because I saw a lot of different prescriptions for pain killer medicines at my sister’s house from different doctors. Is this actually the case in New York State? Do you think I should go behind her back and give her main doctor a list of all the medications she is taking? Would he be able to use that information or is that a breach of doctor and patient confidentiality?

Zelik Mintz · Accepted Answer

Doctors in New York State do not have a database of what medications are prescribed and what doctors a patient goes to. It is a common practice for people who have addiction issues with pain medication to go to different doctors and emergency rooms to get multiple prescriptions for opiates so that they can procure as many pills as possible. Finding similar prescriptions for pain medications written close together by different doctors is a major red flag for concern. You can certainly give a list of medications your sister is taking to her primary doctor but the MD may refrain from having a discussion with you because of breaching confidentiality. I would strongly suggest confronting your sister with the knowledge of the multiple prescriptions.

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