DOCTOR - PRESCRIPTION TRACKING PLAN COULD CONTROL PROBLEM

John Grim's pain-control physician, Dr. Richard Rosenquist of
University Hospitals in Iowa City, said Grim is one of more than
1,000 patients in his clinic who are treated with long-term
prescriptions for narcotics.

Rosenquist said researchers are working on less-addictive
alternatives to the drugs, with mixed success. Some new techniques,
such as electronic stimulation, help some patients. But the doctor
doesn't foresee a broad replacement for narcotics coming soon.

Rosenquist understands Grim's concerns about his privacy being
invaded if the state sets up a centralized computer system to monitor
Iowans' prescription orders. But the doctor said he believes such a
system would help control the real problem of patients who "doctor
shop" to buy excessive amounts of drugs. "It would be very helpful to
know when somebody who's illegitimately using opioid drugs is getting
them from more than one doctor," he said.

He said his own profession could do a better job of explaining the
pluses and minuses of narcotics. He's seen too many patients who were
kept on heavy doses, even when the drugs weren't helping much with
the pain. Doctors should wean such patients off the pills, he said.

"I know they don't all do that, and some people buy into the
misguided notion that if you just give them enough, it'll take their
pain away," he said.