New policing role for pharmacists undermines partnership with prescribers.

As physicians who treat pain, we know firsthand the battles our patients face in gaining access to appropriate treatment, which, when other less aggressive options will not suffice, includes opioids. The ongoing battle gained a new front recently when Walgreens pharmacy chain changed its procedures regarding the processing of prescriptions for controlled substances [1]. The new policy directs its pharmacists, at the point of dispensing, to contact prescribers for such detailed medical information as diagnoses, International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision codes, patient treatment plans, expected length of therapy, and previously tried medications.