I never understand why doctors are not blamed for prescribing these Because doctors are human beings and in particular they’re people who are motivated by the

I never understand why doctors are not blamed for prescribing these Because doctors are human beings and in particular they’re people who are motivated by the desire to alleviate suffering. When faced with patients who repeatedly return to their office, complaining of severe pain, what can they do? There are no miracle painkillers. We have anti-inflammatories for minor aches and pains. We have opioids for severe, temporary pain (such as recovery from surgery and end-of-life care). We do not have a painkiller suitable for chronic pain. Purdue pharma offered doctors a way out. The institutional structure of healthcare, into which doctors and pharma companies fit, permits diffusion of responsibility [1]. Doctors escape blame because the determination of the safety and efficacy of medication is outside their area of responsibility. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_responsibility https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_responsibility