1. http://nyti.ms/16yvmia
2. Category of problem/issue identified in article:Health/Medical
3. Level of problem/issue:National
4. A potential policy that is being considered to help a problem/issue that individuals/families face.
5. Why this is important to individuals/families OR how does this affect individuals/families?
Individuals who use painkillers with hydrocodone will be affected by this new change by limiting their number of refills in a given period. It also will change the classification that hydrocodone will be put into which will change the recordkeeping requirements of the drugs which will affect the druggists who keep these records.
6. What are your views on the issue/policy?
There has been an unprecedented number of overdoses caused using painkillers so I understand why they say they are limiting the number of refills. However, it does make it more difficult for the patient to obtain painkillers. Patients have to wait a certain number of months before they can refill instead of refilling when they run out. I do think that if there is a frequent pattern of refilling prescriptions before the allotted time listed on the actual bottle of medicine is up, then that should be monitored very carefully. For example, if a customer is prescribed some painkillers that are supposed to last a month, it should last them a month. If they try and refill the prescription 2 weeks after filling it the first time, and they continue this behavior, they should be closely monitored because they are more likely to be overdosing. I don't agree that everyone should just be monitored for this behavior because not everyone overdoses. Some people actually need the pills and use them the way they were intended.
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