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NEWS | Sept. 15, 2014

Hydrocodone containing products require new prescription

By Melanie Moore 79 Medical Wing Public Affairs Officer

The Drug Enforcement Administration has decided to place Hydrocodone and all Hydrocodone containing combination drugs from DEA Schedule III into DEA Schedule II of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.  This change applies to all military pharmacies within the National Capital Region.

The HYDROCODONE containing combination drugs affected by this change include:
· Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (NORCO) 10/325MG TAB
· Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (NORCO) 5/325MG TAB
· Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (NORCO) 7.5/325MG TAB
· Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (HYCET) 7.5/325MG/15ML Solution

What does this mean for patients within the National Capital Region?

If you have a prescription for one of the above drugs and have refills remaining, the pharmacy will continue to dispense refills until April 8, 2015.

After Oct. 6, 2014 all new prescriptions will be limited to a 30 day supply with no refills and the prescription will expires six months after the date it was written. Providers will need to enter a new prescription each time for any additional drug quantities.

For more information on the rationale behind this change and the abuse potential of hydrocodone containing combination drugs, visit http://www.justice.gov/dea/pr/multimedia-library/publications/drug_of_abuse.pdf.

For questions related to any prescription, contact your Primary Care Manager or pharmacy teams.