Red Flags Your Doctor May Be Running a “Pill Mill”

Most doctors strive to provide ethical, responsible medical care. However, there are unfortunately some who take advantage of the opioid crisis to make money by overprescribing medications. This illegal practice is known as operating a “pill mill.” Here are some red flags to watch out for if you suspect your doctor may be running a pill mill:

They Only Accept Cash

Legitimate doctors and pharmacies generally accept various forms of payment like insurance, credit cards, etc. A doctor who insists on cash payments only may be trying to avoid creating a paper trail for authorities to follow. This is a major red flag for pill mill operations.

They Don’t Check Your History

Responsible doctors will look at your prescription history before writing new scripts to avoid negative drug interactions or double doctoring. A doctor who writes scripts without checking your history or the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) likely doesn’t care if you actually need the meds.

There’s No Medical Exam

You should not walk out with a prescription after a 5 minute chat. Ethical doctors require exams, tests, documentation in your medical records, etc. before prescribing. A doctor who hands out scripts freely with no exam is likely running a pill mill.

Their Waiting Room Seems Off

If you spend time in the waiting room, take note of odd activity suggesting illegal distribution. This includes people who seem to be selling medication, a high volume of patients, questionable patient conditions, and cars with out of state plates. These are signs you may be at a pill mill.[2]

You Get Abnormal Drug Combinations

Doctors running pill mills often prescribe unusual or dangerous drug combinations with high abuse potential, like hydrocodone, Xanax, Soma, and Flexeril. Legitimate doctors generally avoid prescribing multiple opioids or benzos together.

They Prescribe High Doses

Doctors should start with low doses and increase slowly as needed. Immediately receiving very high doses of controlled substances may indicate your doctor is running a pill mill.

They Don’t Screen or Monitor You

Responsible doctors require regular drug tests and monitor for signs of addiction. Doctors who ignore clear drug seeking behaviors may be running a pill mill.[3]

What You Can Do

If you notice red flags that your doctor may be running a pill mill, consider finding a new provider. You can also report suspicious activity anonymously to authorities. Operating a pill mill is illegal.

Most doctors aim to provide ethical care. However, some unscrupulous ones take advantage of the opioid crisis to profit off overprescribing medications. Being aware of common pill mill red flags can help protect you and your community.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general education only and does not constitute legal or medical advice.

References

[1] https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/Nontherapeutic.asp
[2] https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/files_pdf/Pill%20Mill%20Red%20Flags.pdf
[3] https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=180fa7ad-a025-4b02-b59e-30d1bc8799e0