Sometimes, just use some common-sense:

“I’ve had new patients come in and tell me during the first visit that W, X and Y medications don’t work for them, but Z does,” said Dr. Charles Cloutier, a Prattville family practitioner. “When patients take that approach, it’s a huge tip-off.”

Cloutier said he doesn’t call in prescriptions for controlled drugs after hours or on weekends, and he is cautious when he catches weekend calls for four other doctors.

“If you need pain medicine, you know how many doses you have,” he said. “If you are going to run out over the weekend, a legitimate patient will call their doctor during regular hours to get it taken care of.”