Buzz
The ability to diagnose yourself and prescribe medication might sound like one of the best privileges of being a doctor. But is it actually permissible for them to do so?
As GoodRx Health outlines, the legality depends on the type of prescription, the situation, and the doctor's location. Most states prohibit self-prescribing controlled substances, including opioids, Adderall, Xanax, and any other drugs with a high risk of abuse and/or addiction. There are fewer restrictions when it comes to self-prescribing non-controlled medications, such as those used for chronic conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and asthma. Birth control and antibiotics also fall under non-controlled substances [PDF].
Even though self-prescribing some medications may be technically legal in certain areas, it is still strongly advised against. The American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics states, “physicians should not treat themselves or their family members” except in two cases: “in emergency situations or isolated areas where no other qualified physician is available,” or “for short-term, minor issues.”
The reasons against self-prescribing are fairly clear: It’s challenging to remain objective when you're both the physician and the patient; and chances are the issue falls outside your area of expertise. For instance, dermatologists aren’t typically the ideal specialists to diagnose or prescribe treatment for a heart condition.
There are also financial implications to consider. Dr. Stephanie Pearson, co-founder of PearsonRavitz, a personal insurance brokerage that focuses on disability and life insurance for physicians, shared on the company blog that self-prescribing can lead to complications when physicians apply for insurance coverage.
“Insurance companies will review your pharmacy records from the last five to seven years, and the medications they find may trigger further medical record investigations,” Pearson noted. “Self-prescribing frequently results in automatic rejections with traditional insurers. Insurers often perceive self-prescribing or having prescriptions without documentation as a sign you’re not getting adequate care [or] follow-up, or that you might be hiding something.”
In summary, self-prescribing is more of an ethically nuanced practice than it is a typical doctor benefit.
