PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE Manchin Backs Legislation Aimed To Crack Down On Prescription Abuse
Reported by: Rick Lord
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Mar. 22, 2013 9:56 PM EDT
Updated: Mar. 23, 2013 2:49 AM EDT
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is pushing hard for legislation in Congress that could help slow down the epidemic of prescription drug abuse.
Manchin said he wants to tighten restrictions on some of the most powerful prescription painkillers available. The Safe Prescribing Act of 2013 would reclassify drugs like Vicodin and Lortab, making them harder to obtain.
Under the new rules, a written prescription would be required to get Hydrocodone painkillers, except in emergencies. Patients would have to have original prescriptions for refills and traffickers would face harsher penalties and fines.
“We've got doctors that are making a living and most of their practice is based around distributing pills,” Manchin said. “ That's not what they went to school for. That's not their training, and we have to shut it down.”
Manchin said he expects the measure to pass. It has strong support from both sides of the aisle in the House and the Senate.
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Rick Lord
