ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — With New York medical practitioners issuing more painkiller prescriptions in one year than the state has residents, the Senate passed legislation Monday meant to curb the illegal trade and illicit use of hydrocodone and other addictive opioid drugs.
One bill would reclassify hydrocodone, which is sold as Vicodin, Norco and Lortab, to the same restricted group as oxycodone. That would require a new prescription each time, with no refills. Another Senate-passed bill would increase criminal penalties for physicians and pharmacists who illegally divert prescription drugs.
"In 2010, New York practitioners issued 22 million painkiller prescriptions, not including refills," said Sen. Kemp Hannon, a Long Island Republican. "Twenty-two million, that's more than we have New Yorkers."
Hannon, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, and Democratic Sen. Jeff Klein, who chairs the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, presided at a discussion earlier Monday to address what they called a crisis. "I believe it rivals the heroin epidemic in the '70s," said Klein, who represents part of the Bronx and Westchester County.
Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.
Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:
- Critical BenefitsPRO information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
- Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events
- Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
Already have an account? Sign In
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
