DEA May Tighten Access to Pain Drug

The Times-Picayune ^ | March 31, 2004

[Wolfie]

WASHINGTON - The federal government is considering tightening restrictions on narcotic pain relievers containing hydrocodone, a move that would greatly complicate pain relief therapy for millions of Americans.

Literally the opioid of the masses, medications containing hydrocodone - - Vicodin, Lortab, Norco and many others - were prescribed by doctors more than 100 million times last year, more than any other prescription drug. Opioids are synthetic forms of opiates.

[Sir Gawain]

I feel safer already. Thanks DEA!

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[Moleman]

Big Government sucks. My mother has chronic back pain and is is perscribed pain killer of some sort (highly controlled) to simply "take the edge off" her pain. So, big government will make it more difficult for mom to have her pain reduced while it's easy for a 13 year old to buy crack on the corner. WTF

[Servant of the 9]

Typical FDA/DEA action.

Punishing millions of innocent sufferers with a policy that will make zero difference in illegal drug use.

SO9

[Sweet Land]

My mother has chronic back pain and is is perscribed pain killer of some sort (highly controlled) to simply "take the edge off" her pain. So, big government will make it more difficult for mom to have her pain reduced

Tell her it's for the children.

[antiRepublicrat]

And once upon a time LSD was being used successfully to treat various mental problems and addictions, until Big Brother found out people were having too much fun with it. Look for it to be banned, pain sufferers be damned.

[vollmond]

I guess this is one way to hold down the costs of the Medicare prescription drug benefit plan. Make the prescription all useful drugs felonies.

[coloradan]

No pain, no gain. Ergo, painkillers prevent gain. Thanks, DEA! We'll really be hurting soon, but it's the good kind of hurt.

[Skooz]

If I'm in serious pain, I'll just make a phone call.

[robertpaulsen]

"Punishing millions of innocent sufferers"

Due to the fact that these drugs are being abused, the government is considering moving the product from Schedule III to Schedule II. How is this "punishing millions of innocent sufferers"? Slight overreaction?

Second, even if they did move it, that would mean a) doctors are prohibited from phoning in prescriptions to pharmacies, and b) patients would be required to see their doctors every time they need a refill.

Oh, the punishment! Ease up.

[Servant of the 9]

Oh, the punishment! Ease up.

Since moving drugs from Sched III to Sched II has had zero effect on the abuse of other drugs, any inconvenience at all is unconcionable.

I won't ease up. I am fed up with the Govt. taxing me in order to do things 'for my own good'.

The Federal Government should defend the coasts, deliver the mail and stay the hell out of citizens way.

So9