Hydrocodone restrictions pushed in NY

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - With New York medical practitioners issuing more painkiller prescriptions in one year than the Empire State has residents, Senate Republicans are pushing legislation meant to curb the illegal trade and illicit use of hydrocodone and other addictive opioid drugs.

One expected to pass the Senate on Monday 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.

A bill backed by the state attorney general would curb that black market by requiring "real time" online review and reporting by prescribers and pharmacists of each scrip written and filled for a patient.

Regulations now require practitioners, including dentists, to report prescriptions monthly to the state health department, which is considering a shorter reporting period.