Legislative Updates

WSJ reports -DEA Restricts Narcotic Pain Drug Prescriptions to 90 Day Supply


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While Missouri hasn’t passed a PDMP,  the DEA ha taken steps to cut down on the abuse of narcotic pain meds by restricting the dispensing to a 90 day supply before the patient would need another script.

The Obama administration moved Thursday to restrict prescriptions of the most commonly used narcotic painkillers in the U.S. in an attempt to curb widespread abuse.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said it would reclassify hydrocodone combination drugs such as Vicodin and put them in the category reserved for medical substances with the highest potential for harm. The “rescheduling” means people will be able to receive the drugs for only up to 90 days without obtaining a new prescription.

The opioid pills are taken by millions of Americans, including after dental surgery, for back problems and broken bones. Currently the pills can be refilled up to five times and prescriptions can cover a 180-day period. The new classification will take effect in 45 days, the DEA said.