Situation VI - Self Medication
Papaver somniferum
You have previously treated a 62 year old women for osteoarthritis which causes her a considerable problem with chronic knee pain. During a recent office visit, she tells you that she has been growing poppies (Papaver somniferum) for ornamental flowers for many years. Recently, she learned that these plants contain raw opium and she has been drinking a cup of poppy leaf tea just before bedtime most evenings. She believes this gives her considerable relief from the chronic joint pain and allows her to sleep well at night.
Because she works for a company which has recently started using random drug testing of employees, she is worried about the possibility of being selected for a random drug test and she is knowledgeable enough to know that the test will be positive for opiates. She asks if you will certify to the medical review officer that you have prescribed the poppy leaf tea for pain relief.
Questions
1) How would you respond to her question?
2) Do you understand the role of the Medical Review Officer (MRO) in a drug testing program?
3) What laws affect the use of opium and growing poppies in the United States?
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