ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — With New York medical practitioners issuing more painkiller prescriptions in one year than the state has residents, the Senate passed legislation Monday meant to curb the illegal trade and illicit use of hydrocodone and other addictive opioid drugs.
One bill would reclassify hydrocodone, which is sold as Vicodin, Norco and Lortab, to the same restricted group as oxycodone. That would require a new prescription each time, with no refills. Another Senate-passed bill would increase criminal penalties for physicians and pharmacists who illegally divert prescription drugs.
"In 2010, New York practitioners issued 22 million painkiller prescriptions, not including refills," said Sen. Kemp Hannon, a Long Island Republican. "Twenty-two million, that's more than we have New Yorkers."
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