A report issued by New York state's attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, found prescriptions for oxycodone increased by 82 percent from 2007-2010 in the state, according to a New York Times report.
The report also found almost 22.5 million narcotic painkiller prescriptions were written in the state in 2010 — a 36 percent increase from 2007. Prescriptions for hydrocodone, the main ingredient in Vicodin, increased 16.7 percent.
Mr. Schneiderman issued the report to bolster support for his proposed drug-tracking system. Currently, pharmacists are required to report sales of controlled substances at least every 45 days, but individual prescriptions are not tracked and pharmacists can't validate prescriptions unless they call the prescribing physicians. Mr. Schneiderman's system would provide a real-time tracking database. Physicians would be required to check the database prior to prescribing a drug and report prescriptions of the most dangerous drugs. Pharmacists would have to confirm the prescriptions on the database before filling them.
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The report also found almost 22.5 million narcotic painkiller prescriptions were written in the state in 2010 — a 36 percent increase from 2007. Prescriptions for hydrocodone, the main ingredient in Vicodin, increased 16.7 percent.
Mr. Schneiderman issued the report to bolster support for his proposed drug-tracking system. Currently, pharmacists are required to report sales of controlled substances at least every 45 days, but individual prescriptions are not tracked and pharmacists can't validate prescriptions unless they call the prescribing physicians. Mr. Schneiderman's system would provide a real-time tracking database. Physicians would be required to check the database prior to prescribing a drug and report prescriptions of the most dangerous drugs. Pharmacists would have to confirm the prescriptions on the database before filling them.
Related Articles on Prescription Painkillers:
Pharmacists Stop Stocking Opioids Due to Robberies
5 Ways to Safeguard Against Opioid Abuse and Diversion From Robert Saenz, CEO of Tulsa Pain Consultants
Tennessee Legislation Would Require Database Check Before Opioid Prescription