 BobbyDelray says: I would be interested in hearing comments to this one. But wouldn't it be the patient's responsibility to inform him or herself? Who takes drugs without knowing what they can do? All the medications around here come with little booklets that explain everything about them. I thought it would be like this everywhere in the US, so the doctors didn't have to spend an extra half hour to explain everything to the patient. If they don't do this everywhere, they certainly should. Certainly the Pharmacy would have warned the patient, too. This is another example of people ditching personal responsibility. Why would they blame the driver when the doctor has much deeper pockets? We have all lost our way. From personal experience I can tell you that doctors don't always inform patients of the side effects of medications they prescribe. Nor do pharmacists. Just asking if the patient has any questions is not sufficient, even if this token gesture is made. The issue is much more serious than making information available (written or oral). People impaired by either their own neural/mental problems or by medication side effects aren't very capable of asking the right questions or researching the side effects of prescribed medications. When doctors take the time and effort to consider their patient's age, physical condition, mental status and the likely side effects of all the medications he/she ... I have to agree with the sentiments expressed here by bignosemousie, seems people have no sense of personal responsibility these days. Guess they just need to put "Avoid Death" in big letters on every subscription. the patient shouldn't drive a car when he's under the influence of these drugs, especially if he KNEW what the side-effects are. I think therefor the patient is responsible, not the doctor. With knowledge comes responsibility. I agree that the patient shouldn't drive when under the influence of drugs that impair them physically or mentally. The patient IS responsible. But so is the doctor who prescribed the drugs, knowing the risks to the patient and to others, and so is the system that allows him to drive despite the risks. With the knowledge that the drugs are likely to impair the patient's mental faculties and/or physical ability to drive safely, the doctor bears a good deal of responsibility for not acting to protect the patient and society from the consequences of the patient driving under the influence of the prescribed drugs. Impaired thinking can make people behave irr... Doctors and social agencies/license bureaus need to work together on this important issue to help get medically impaired drivers off the road, for the sake of the patient and for the sake of the rest of society. All this will lead to is higher doctor bills, higher medical insurance costs, and more paperwork for you as you will now likely have to sign off on every prescription you receive, possibly multiple times. And there will be more stupid warnings such as 'avoid death.' Sure there would be a little more work for the doctor and another hoop for drivers to jump through to prove their fitness to drive, but the savings to society in terms of lives, physical trauma, disabilities, and property damage would be enormous. Some people just don't understand that they are too impaired to be driving. Their thinking is impaired. So those around them who do understand the impairment need to act responsibly and get them off the road. So, you would be fine with a lawsuit against a cashier for selling an over the counter drug to someone who then goes out and operates a motor vehicle and injures someone? When do people grow up? When does the nanny state end and personal responsibility kick in? Oh, yeah, that's what I want. Isn't that what I wrote? No! And you know it.  Please read and try to understand what I am saying instead of being ridiculous. If that is possible. What we seem to have here is a clash between two very different philosophies: (1) I am my brother's keeper. As a civilized society and a caring one it behooves each one in the society to help- protect each and everyone within the society.... after all, is that not why it is called a society.? So bloody what if the doctors and pharmacists would need to be a little more careful when dispensing medications? Is that not what the Hippocratic oath is all; about? (2) The 'I'm all right Jack" school of thought where commerce is the be- all and end-all of every aspect of life. It goes well beyond looking out for each other. If all that is being done now isn't enough, then nothing short of physical hand holding (and maybe not even that) would be enough. This goes way beyond warnings and responsibilities and goes straight to who has the deepest pockets for me to sue. It all boils down to poor parenting  One of the first lessons I remember learning from my parents and grandparents was, "Don't put anything in your mouth that you don't know about!"  |
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