DEA to Unveil New Restrictions on Popular Painkillers
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Photodisc/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will officially publish rules on Friday to tighten restrictions on the most common form of painkillers.
The stricter rules are for drugs containing hydrocodone, which is in many of the most widely-used painkillers, including Vicodin and Lortab.
Now with the goal of cutting down on abuse, the drugs are being put into a tougher, more restrictive category. Patients will be limited to one 90-day supply and then will have to see a medical professional to get a refill.
Additionally, in many states, prescribing authority will be limited to doctors only and not nurses or physicians assistants any longer.
The new rules will take effect in about about a month and a half.
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