Why does the government keep track of what prescriptions you have?

[ribonucleic]

<< Some news accounts have suggested that Cho had a history of antidepressant use, but senior federal officials tell ABC News that they can find no record of such medication in the government's files. >>

http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3048108&page=2

Excuse me? 

[ribonucleic]

If you give a fuck about this - and maybe you don't - the ever-splendid Glenn Greenwald discusses the issue here:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/04/18/surveillance/index.html

[Thin Lizzy]

If there was no oversight, what would stop pharmacists from ordering tons of drugs that can be sold on the street, and selling them to people who don't have prescriptions?

I noticed the article didn't say whether the gov't keeps track of all prescriptions drugs, or just the mind-altering ones. Having worked in a pharmacy during my high school years, I noticed much more thorough records kept for drugs like Valium than, say, a prescription cream for jock itch.

[ribonucleic]

If there was no oversight, what would stop pharmacists from ordering tons of drugs that can be sold on the street, and selling them to people who don't have prescriptions?

Ah, yes... the Drug War.

Certainly no sacrifice of privacy is too great to be borne in the service of such a noble (and successful!) enterprise.

Especially when we can be certain that the government would never, ever misuse such information.

 

[24KT]

Up here, they sold it as "Health Watch" where they would keep track of all your medications just in case you got a prescription that conflicted and might cause a nasty reaction with something you're already taking.

[Thin Lizzy]

It has nothing to do with the drug war. It's about keeping controlled substances under control.

You still didn't answer the question. So, I'll ask it again.

What would stop a pharmacist from selling drugs with a street value to anyone who walks in and asks for them, if there were no consequences for doing so?

From what I understand there's some money to made dealing drugs. Perhaps the ever-splendid greenwald should've thought about this before running his mouth and making a fool of himself.

[ribonucleic]

You still didn't answer the question. So, I'll ask it again.

What would stop a pharmacist from selling drugs with a street value to anyone who walks in and asks for them, if there were no consequences for doing so?

Maybe some other program that didn't allow the government this intrusive look into our medical histories?

But for the sake of argument, let's say: nothing.

If you don't think you have more to fear from a government intent on assembling all available information on you into a central database than you do from Cheaty McPharmacist, you need to think again.

[Thin Lizzy]

Maybe some other program that didn't allow the government this intrusive look into our medical histories?

But for the sake of argument, let's say: nothing.

If you don't think you have more to fear from a government intent on assembling all available information on you into a central database than you do from Cheaty McPharmacist, you need to think again.

I have no fear. Unlike you, I'm not a subversive, or in your case, a make-believe subversive.

You sound like every other paranoid leftwing kook on the web who spends the day peeking out his window waiting for "The Man" to come and take him away. But somehow, he never comes.

In my tax return, I submitted my name, addy, ss#, income, place where I work, bank interest, capital gains etc.

So what if the gov't knows that I got a tetracycline prescription for some strep throat. What are they going to do with that info?

[Cap]

Maybe if Meth dealers didn't use cold medicines to manufacture their product they would not have to.  Seriously, look beyond your nose and see the real harmful effects of drugs and how much crime is caused by drug users and the drug trade. Decriminalizing drugs will do nothing about a black market and we will have many more drug users ruining society.  There is a victim in this "victimless" crime...

[24KT]

Maybe if Meth dealers didn't use cold medicines to manufacture their product they would not have to.  Seriously, look beyond your nose and see the real harmful effects of drugs and how much crime is caused by drug users and the drug trade. Decriminalizing drugs will do nothing about a black market and we will have many more drug users ruining society.  There is a victim in this "victimless" crime...

WTF are you even arguing about? Seriously? Do you even read the threads you barrell into to spew your arguments? Who the heck is talking about decriminalizing drugs? is it that you have no vehicle for self expression, so random unrelated arguments spew forth like vomit?, ...or do you simply just have a reading comprehension problem? 

[Cap]

WTF are you even arguing about? Seriously? Do you even read the threads you barrell into to spew your arguments? Who the heck is talking about decriminalizing drugs? is it that you have no vehicle for self expression, so random unrelated arguments spew forth like vomit?, ...or do you simply just have a reading comprehension problem? 

Hmmmm....prescription meds are used for drugs, so tracking them is good.  Someone else brought up the drug war so I commented on it.  I really like when you attack like this and then call me childish and immature.  I can read fine and liek Rob (who talks about 9/11 when it is mentioned) I bring in related things, esp when someone talks about them first.  Hope that helps.

[240 is Back]

they keep track of it so they can mail us coupons when they see good deals for us.


Honest.

[Cap]

they keep track of it so they can mail us coupons when they see good deals for us.


Honest.

Lol, the tension breaker.  Good man Rob. 

[headhuntersix]

Any anti depressant..or medication for ADHD is controled and tracked. My son was on various drugs for it..some he could get plenty of and some only 30 days supply because of the nature of the drug....I don't find a problem with it at all. I find if I follow the rules, folks leave me alone and I don't feel guilty of anything..I'm not sure what Ribo is up to but he seems worried about something.

[Old_Rooster]

oh crap, they know about my 100 Loritabs a month?  eeeeeek.

[ribonucleic]

I'm not sure what Ribo is up to but he seems worried about something.

Oh, I'm worried about lots of things. Maybe I need to up my dosage. 

But I guess either privacy is a principle that matters to you - or it doesn't. Even if there were zero potential for abuse - and I think you'd have be an idiot to argue that - it's a principle worth defending.

Medical records are generally confidential for a reason.

[headhuntersix]

Much like anything else..if some idiot didn't set a precedent, there would be no need for a law. Everything we do is regulated..mostly because Libs don't trust average Americans do be responsible and  own up to screw ups..they figure they know better then the average citizen.....saving us from ourselves ie "gun free zones" in the recent shooting....except some back woods virginian colledge student with a .12 gauge in his truck could have blown this nutbag in two if there was no safe zone.

[Old_Rooster]

omg i forgot, they also know i take 15 viagras a month!

Anyone ever taken one just to masturbate?   ooops, i said that out loud...

[Thin Lizzy]

Oh, I'm worried about lots of things. Maybe I need to up my dosage. 

But I guess either privacy is a principle that matters to you - or it doesn't. Even if there were zero potential for abuse - and I think you'd have be an idiot to argue that - it's a principle worth defending.

Medical records are generally confidential for a reason.

But libs want the government in charge of everyone's healthcare, vis a vis universal healthcare.

[ieffinhatecardio]

It's amazing how cavalierly Republicans can dissolve our freedoms. I suppose "home of the free" doesn't hold as much meaning as it used to. I also love how the neotaints start shifting the focus to liberals. Anything to deflect attention.