Mandatory drug testing for physicians fails in California

California voters on Tuesday defeated Proposition 46, which would have raised the cap on malpractice damages for pain and suffering and required random drug and alcohol testing for physicians. The measure also called for substance testing of physicians following certain medical mistakes or any events that caused a patient’s death or serious disability. Impaired physicians would have been subject to disciplinary action, including possible suspension of licenses.

A third component of the measure would have required physicians, when prescribing certain medications, to check a state database of patients' other prescriptions to help prevent drug abuse.

Source: The Los Angeles Times