New Legislation Would Limit Number Of Painkiller Pills Prescribed To First-Time Patients
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- New York lawmakers are considering limiting how many prescription pills patients can get on their visit to a doctor.
The bill would limit patients to a five-days worth of short-term prescription drugs like Oxycontin and Hydrocodone, WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reports. They're often used to treat acute pain after surgery or dental procedures. Patients would have to go back to the doctor to get more medication after the initial period.
The idea is to curb opioid abuse, which can often come about when unnecessary pills are prescribed and then left around for anyone in a household to use or sell.
Opponents said the bill would prevent doctors from using their best judgment when dealing with patients and their different pain thresholds. A Connecticut law going into effect in July restricts patients to seven days of opioid medication.