Pain patients, practices, affected by DEA law change

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s strengthening of regulations last month for certain narcotic painkillers has made lives difficult for pain patients, practices and pharmacies in the region.

Hydrocodone combination products (HCPs), painkillers that combine the opioid with acetaminophen (such as Vicodin), have been listed as Schedule III controlled substances for more than 40 years, since the 5-tiered drug classification system originated with the 1971 Controlled Substances Act..

On Oct. 6, the classification was stiffened to a more restrictive Schedule II substance, a reaction on the federal level triggered by the rise in addiction and overdose from unlawful use of pharmaceutical drugs.

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) were among the professional organizations that lobbied against the change.

“It’s affected how easily people can get the drugs,” said Russell Meek, pharmacist at Atkins Pharmacy in Marble Falls, adding that most customers have not liked the change. “No one has yelled at me yet, people seem to understand it’s not under our control. They have more hoops to jump through,” mainly because doctors can no longer call in HCP prescriptions for patients; rather, a paper script is required.

Additionally, pharmacy personnel keep a “higher control of inventory; basically, it’s meant more work,” Meek said.