Perhaps no other profession is placed on a higher pedestal than a medical doctor. As part of their duty, MDs are entrusted by state medical boards with the task of writing prescriptions. As medical professionals, they control access to prescription drugs. These drugs can be necessary, even lifesaving, but sometimes prescriptions are completely unnecessary. When a doctor writes prescriptions that aren’t necessary, they are engaging in overprescription.

In the United States, an increasing number of Americans are prescribed several medications. According to Stat, between 2000 and 2012, the number of Americans taking at least five medications doubled to over 47 million Americans. 

A 2019 study by The Journal of Clinical Medicine Research found that there are four major types of overprescriptions:

1. Opioid medication for chronic pain
2. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for indigestion
3. Levothyroxine, a medical condition for thyroid conditions, for hypothyroidism that doesn’t present with enough symptoms for a diagnosis
4. Antidepressants for depression that does not exhibit enough signs for a formal diagnosis

While these conditions are necessary to treat, prescribing medications without sufficient evidence for a diagnosis can be dangerous. Not only can medications do harm if they are not actually treating a condition, the side effects of a drug can also be dangerous. 

Long-term use of PPIs can result in osteoporosis, liver damage, pancreatitis, and worse. While this risk can be medically necessary for a patient who badly needs PPIs, a patient taking PPIs because of an overprescription of drugs can be negatively affected by a drug they should not have been using. 

If you or a loved one have suffered the negative consequences of overprescription, you may be able to seek justice. In order to potentially receive compensation, you will need the help of a medical malpractice attorney.

A medical malpractice attorney can file your case on your behalf and give you the best chance to recover compensation. Not only can medical malpractice attorneys present your experience in the best light, they can also recruit expert witnesses in order to provide professional backing for your case. The best place to find a medical malpractice attorney is with Attorney at Law.

At AAL, our nationwide network of attorneys and law firms can match you with the best medical malpractice attorney in your area. Our partners have the resources, legal expertise, and experience to take on the biggest groups in America and get you the best outcome possible. 

In addition to an exceptional case record and legal ability, our partners also specialize in client care. We know how hard a lawsuit can be on our clients, and that’s why we only partner with firms and attorneys who go above and beyond to ensure the satisfaction of our clients.

Don’t wait. Contact AAL today for a free, no-obligation consultation and affirm your medical rights.