The Federal Drug Administration (F.D.A.) along with the Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A.) announced Monday the tightening of restrictions on physicians who prescribe narcotic drugs. These restrictions will effect the prescribing, dispensing and distribution of extended-release opioids like OxyContin, fentanyl patches, methadone tablets and some morphine tablets.
A few years ago a number of restrictions were handed down however the results they were looking for have not been achieved. Addiction to these drugs continues to grow and be a terrible problem. Rehab treatment centers also note an increase of people being treated for prescription drug addiction.
In 2007 over 21 million prescriptions were written for over 3.7 million people for the 24 drugs being reviewed. These drugs are very effective for people suffering from severe pain and are recommended for people, who for instance, are in the end-stage of cancer and have already become immune to opioid therapy and are still in pain. It has been reported that doctors are prescribing some of these schedule II drugs for things as simple as a sprained ankle.
In my next post I will discuss the problem of prescription drug abuse and addiction.
