The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has announced that it has finalized its rule to reschedule hydrocodone combination products (HCP) from Schedule III status to Schedule II status. DEA says the rule will become effective on October 6, 2014.
The American Medical Association says that, “The prescriptions for HCPs that are issued before October 6, 2014, that have authorized refills may be dispensed in accordance with DEA rules for refilling, partial filling, transferring, and central filling Schedule III-V controlled substances until April 8, 2015. (However) due to state laws, insurance limitations, and some pharmacy processes – some health insurers and pharmacies may not honor refills on or after October 6, 2014. (AMA says that) prescribers should (therefore) be prepared to provide new hard copy or electronic prescriptions for patients beginning on October 6, 2014 rather than have patients use what would have been existing refills.”
