Doctor shopping or double doctoring is when a patient begins to request medications from multiple physicians, typically at the same time, without making efforts to coordinate care or inform the physicians of the multiple caregivers.
Generally, a patient has a regular physician that prescribes certain prescription medications for a legitimate medical condition. However, oftentimes, the patient will then seek another physician to obtain more of the same medication or different medications. To get the additional medications, the patient may exaggerate the underlying medical need for the medication. This creates problems not only for the patient, but for the physician as well.
Doctor shopping in California may be prosecuted as a felony under Health and Safety Code Section 11173.
HS 11173 provides the following:
- (a) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain controlled substances, or procure or attempt to procure the administration of or,prescription for controlled substances, (1) by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation , or subterfuge; or (2) by the concealment of a material fact.
- (b) No person shall make a false statement in any prescription, order, report, or record, required by this division.
- (c) No person shall, for the purpose of obtaining controlled substances, falsely assume the title of, or represent himself to be a manufacturer, wholesaler, pharmacist, physician, dentist, veterinarian, registered nurse, physician's assistant, or other authorized person.
- (d) No person shall affix any false or forged label to a package or receptacle containing controlled substances.
If you have been arrested or are under investigation for violating HS 11173, or any other prescription drug allegation, contact my office today and speak with me personally about your case. I provide a free consultation.