In light of the recent Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) rulemaking that reschedules hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) into Controlled Substance Schedule II, NACDS has prepared a resource for our chain members to help them better understand the impacts of the new rule.
This change in status for HCPs will necessitate stricter prescribing, dispensing, and handling of these products when the rule takes effect on October 6, 2014. However, upon issuing the final rule, DEA advised that the agency will make some allowances for refills of HCP prescriptions issued before October 6, 2014 until April 8, 2015, as well as allowances applicable only to dispensers related to labeling requirements for these products.
In order to assist our members in understanding the implications of the new rule, NACDS has prepared this resource to identify issues that pharmacists and pharmacies, patients, and prescribers will need to be aware of and plan for in advance of the final rule effective date.
