“Just Like A Pill: Understanding the Role of Medical Ethics in Prescribing Medication”
With recent news breaking revealing details surrounding actor Matthew Perry’s death and the debate on his doctor’s knowledge of his high dosage of ketamine has shed light on the role doctors play in chemical dependency. Writer Ryan Smith, in his 2024 article for Newsweek, “Matthew Perry Dealer’s Text Indicates ‘Consciousness of Guilt’: Attorney”, writes, “Authorities claimed the defendants all ‘falsely prescribed, sold or injected the ketamine that caused Matthew Perry’s tragic death’.”
Patient Responsibility in Managing Antidepressant Use
A dependency on antidepressants is ultimately the responsibility of the individual taking the medication. It is crucial for patients to ask important questions about side effects and dosages when being prescribed any medication, especially those that can be lethal in high doses.
The Ethical Obligations of Doctors in Prescribing Medication
It is also the responsibility of the doctor prescribing the medication to fully inform the patient. According to Chapter 9 of the American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics, physicians have an ethical responsibility to prioritize the patient’s interests and prescribe drugs based solely on medical considerations, patient need, and the reasonable expectation of effectiveness.
Historical Cases of Questionable Medical Prescriptions
This isn’t the first time a doctor’s prescribing abilities have been called into question. In 2009, former cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray prescribed the late entertainer Michael Jackson a lethal dosage of propofol, leading to his death from cardiac arrest. This case, along with others, raises serious concerns about the ethical practices of licensed medical practitioners.
The Ongoing Issue of Overprescription in America
Writer Brian Mann, in his 2020 article for NPR, “Doctors And Dentists Still Flooding U.S. With Opioid Prescriptions,” highlights the alarming rates at which doctors continue to prescribe highly addictive pain medications. Despite federal guidelines, many physicians regularly prescribe large quantities of powerful opioids, even when better treatment options are available.
The Role of Doctors in Enabling Dependency
Furthermore, there is ongoing discussion surrounding the role medical doctors play in enabling dependencies on pain relievers and antidepressants. The case of Matthew Perry is just another cautionary tale in the broader narrative of ethics and medical prescription.
