Prescription Drugs: State Monitoring Programs May Help to Reduce Illegal Diversion

March 4, 2004 Prescription Drugs: State Monitoring Programs May Help to Reduce Illegal Diversion The increasing diversion of prescription drugs for illegal purposes or abuse is a disturbing trend in the nation's battle against drug abuse. Diversion can include such activities as prescription forgery and "doctor shopping" by individuals who visit numerous physicians to obtain multiple prescriptions. GAO found that the 15 state monitoring programs in place in 2002 differed in their objectives and operation. The programs were intended to facilitate the collection, analysis, and reporting of information about the prescribing, dispensing, and use of controlled substances. GAO also . . .