Hydrocodone Products Reclassified to Schedule II September 8, 2014 News, Physician Resource controlled substance, DEA, hydrocodone, Schedule II 0 The federal government published new rules that will govern hundreds of medicines containing hydrocodone. These drugs will be reclassified as Schedule II substances, in line with oxycodone and morphine. This reclassification will apply to all drugs that contain both hydrocodone, which by itself was already classified a Schedule II drug, and specified amounts of other substances, such as acetaminophen or aspirin. As Schedule II drugs, patients will be limited to up to a 90-day supply of medication and will have to see a provider to get a refill. (Under the Schedule III classification, a prescription could be refilled five times before the patient had to see a physician.) Physicians will not generally be allowed to call, fax, or e-mail in a prescription to a pharmacy; instead, patients will have to present a written prescription. The reclassification will not impact the ability of physician assistants and nurse practitioners to write orders for hydrocodone products. State law currently allows physician assistants and nurse practitioners to write orders for controlled substances (Schedule II – Schedule V) under appropriate physician supervision. California exceptions for emergencies and that apply to skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities and hospice care also remain in effect. The new rule will go into effect on October 6, 2014. Click here for information for physicians and pharmacists about how to prepare for the new DEA final rule. Comments are closed.
