title: The legal setting in prescribing drugs.
abstract: By training and experience physicians generally prescribe drugs with only the patient in mind. In today's environment it is essential that the physician stop and think of himself also. We are all aware of malpractice problems, which begin in the physician's office or at the hospital and, if severe, end in court. The ophthalmologist must now consider what a disgruntled patient can find in writing to use in court. Hospital records and physician's charts are now just the beginning point. The Physician's Desk Reference (PDR), the published literature, the package insert, the promotional material of pharmaceutical companies, the internal records of drug companies, the pharmacists' records, and the data now obtainable from government agencies all provide happy hunting grounds for a competent plaintiff's attorney. The ophthalmologist needs to be keenly aware of these potentially adverse resources and how they can be used against him. He also needs to know the alternatives available to him. Once these matters are brought into clear perspective, both the patient and the ophthalmologist will be better off.
mesh_terms: D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice; D008499:Medical Records; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions