A
move by the federal government will restrict the prescription of painkiller
hydrocodone drugs, like Vicodin and Lortab, the number one prescribed
controlled substance in West Virginia
The
federal Drug Enforcement Administration will make the announcement Friday that
it’s moving hydrocodone from Schedule III to the more restrictive Schedule II.
West
Virginia Board of Pharmacy Executive Director and General Counsel David Potters
said the new classification will impact how the drugs are stored, stocked,
transported, prescribed and dispensed.
“The
whole idea to is cut down on the amount of supply available in the medicine
cabinets at any one time,” he said.
Hydrocodone
is at the top of the list of prescribed drugs in West Virginia
Schedule
II drugs are not allowed to be refilled, a prescription is required each time.
Also, in many cases, only doctors can prescribe them.
Under
Schedule II the written prescription expires in 90 days and at pharmacies many
of them are kept in locked safes or cages. Potters added making a drug a
Schedule II also gives physicians a cause to pause and consider prescribing it.
The
new rule is expected to be announced Friday and take effect in 45 days.
