What happens if my prescription is stolen

Losing a prescription form or a vial of medications may result from the occasional lapses that all patients may have.

If this occurs only once it may not have significant medical implications, and the prescriber may choose to replace it without much concern. Losing a medication more than once, however, may imply that something else is going on. There are many possibilities. Is the patient experiencing some type of cognitive impairment, perhaps one that is being made worse by the medication? Does the patient need a further neurological evaluation? Allow two weeks for the submitted information to be published.

By reporting lost, stolen or forged prescriptions, you may help reduce the trafficking of drugs of abuse, such as alprazolam, fentanyl and oxycodone, sourced through fraudulent prescriptions. An authorised practitioner in possession of prescription stationery, for handwritten or computer-generated prescriptions, must keep these in a secure place and away from public access, to reduce the risk of loss or theft.

Pharmacists are encouraged to be more vigilant in verifying the validity of prescriptions from authorised practitioners who have had their prescription stationery reported lost or stolen. Pharmacists should also be aware that some prescription stationery is printed with a false name, address or telephone number of the prescriber. Chronic pain often goes undertreated in this country. This may provide an extra incentive for someone to take your pills. A suicidal person may also steal drugs in order to make an attempt on their life.

Of course, if someone close to you has one of these motivations for stealing your drugs, it's a much bigger problem. Knowing the signs of addiction , the treatment options , and the warning signs of suicide is the first step toward getting them help.

No one wants to suspect the people around them. You might think it couldn't possibly happen to you. Remember, though, that addiction is an insidious disease. It can make good people do things they wouldn't dream of otherwise. You have a lot of options for protecting yourself from drug theft. It's also a good idea not to put your empty pill bottles in garbage or recycling containers that are easily viewed by the public.

At the very least, remove the label so no one can use the information to commit fraud. Even better, put them in a container that keeps them hidden. You don't want to give anyone a reason to mug you or break into your house.

Some pharmacies will accept empty bottles for recycling, so check to see if yours does. Be careful about taking your pain pills in public, or talking about them where you can be overheard. While you may not suspect people at work or church or whatever else you spend time, know that painkiller addicts come from all walks of life.

They don't fit the stereotype of the shady street criminal who you'd probably never be around anyway. In fact, the U. Centers for Disease Control CDC says that the people at highest risk to die from drug overdose are white men in their late 40s. If you carry painkillers with you, keep them in the original container. If you're ever searched by police, you need to be able to prove you have the drugs legally, which means a valid prescription or a verifiable prescription label.

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