Cancer drug thefts 'just bloody awful'

Cancer patients are being targeted by drug addicts for their pain relief prescriptions, says a cancer specialist.

Dr Peter Dady, medical director of the Cancer Society, says he has heard of cases where patients' homes have been burgled for drugs or the drugs stolen by other family members.

Dr Dady, a Wellington Hospital oncologist, said that although he had not had any direct experience of patients being targeted, it was a well-recognised problem.

"It's an appalling and revolting thing to do but unfortunately the drug culture doesn't recognise any norms of decent behaviour."

He said prescribed drugs were being sold on the street.

"It is thought that the main source of one of the most popular illegal drugs - long-acting morphine - is taken from people for whom it has been prescribed for pain relief ... "

Dr Dady said burglars chose their victims through the death notices, knowing houses would be empty while family members attended funerals.

"Especially so if a patient has died of cancer because there might be some 'nice' drugs.

"It's just bloody awful."

He advised cancer patients to avoid having too many drugs at home - to pick up only part of a prescription from their pharmacy.

- NZPA