Hydrocodone Reclassified – More Difficult to Fill Such Prescriptions

There are many different kinds of injuries and conditions we face in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation matters. One common thread in those injuries and conditions, however, is pain. Often, the pain is to a level that is severe, requiring significant medications to obtain relief. Various types of medications are classified differently. Basically, the more powerful, or dangerous, a medication is perceived to be, the more limited the access to the medication.

Starting early next month, Hydrocodone Combination Products (HCPs) will change from a Schedule III drug to a Schedule II according to the Controlled Substances Act. To the injured worker, this is important for several reasons. First, all hydrocodone prescriptions will now require an actual written “hard copy” prescription. In other words, telephone, fax, verbal and email prescriptions are not acceptable. Second, there are no refills available for this classification of medication. Third, any existing refills for hydrocodone prescriptions will be void as of midnight on October 5, 2014.

For additional information, you can visit the website for Injured Workers Pharmacy (IWP), a mail order prescription service used by many of our clients.