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.

KEYWORDS :

• chronic pain
• Medicare
• opioids
• urine drug testing

Note to readers:

This paper was first published online on the 13th February 2012 and did not contain a declaration of interest. This was noted and corrected on the 14th February 2012. The Declaration of Interest has now been added and this is the corrected version.