As the entire world knows (and mourns), Michael Jackson died after being given propofol, a high-risk drug used to sedate millions of people annually prior to surgical procedures.

The way that Jackson was using it -- administered by a private, in-house doctor -- was unusual. In fact, many believe the late pop singer's use of the drug was actually an abuse of it. "Using propofol as a sleep aid...would be like using chemotherapy in order to not shave one's head," Dr. John F. Dombrowski of the Washington Pain Center stated in the New York Times.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, which really isn't a big surprise to payers, physicians or hospitals. Propofol abuse is on the rise too: After the drug revolutionized medicine nearly two decades ago, researchers are seeing up to an eight percent increase in the reports of propofol abuse.

As physicians and doctors, ensuring that patients aren't abusing prescription drugs needs to become a major part of the job when writing prescriptions. Setting up protocols, such as a series of questions regarding previous drug/prescription use, and sticking to them is one way to start. Refusing to prescribe drugs that aren't necessary to a person's procedure or recovery is another way.

To read the full article about propofol, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/us/07propofol.html?_r=1&ref=health