title: Profit-driven drug testing.
abstract: Random drug testing of people being treated for chronic pain has become more common. Physicians may drug test patients on opioid therapy as a result of concerns over prosecution, drug misuse, addiction, and overdose. However, profit motive has remained unexplored. This article suggests profits also drive physician drug-testing behavior and evidence is offered, including an exploration of Medicare reimbursement incentives and kickbacks for drug testing.
authors.affiliation: PainExhibit.com, Sacramento, California 95826, USA. Mark@PainExhibit.com
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Collen
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016345:Medicare Part B / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid