Prescribing issues grant report to the Board of Medical Examiners. II. Minnesota Medical Association.

The Prescribing Issues Grant Advisory Committee believes that the survey results indicate diversity and overall appropriate prescribing practices by Minnesota physicians. The committee's recommendations are intended to promote continued appropriate prescribing practices. In general, controlled substances are not indicated for the treatment of chronic conditions. Situations may occur, however, in which a physician may elect to use controlled substances to treat patients for chronic conditions. In these infrequent instances, documentation in the patient record is paramount. While diversity in prescribing practices is recognized, physicians have a responsibility to be aware of the problems of potential prescription drug diversion and abuse when they prescribe a controlled substance. Physicians should guard against abuse while assuring that these medications are available to patients who truly need them for clearly documented medical reasons.