A change that was keeping legitimate pain killer patients from getting their medication was undone Thursday by the Legislature. Last year, the Legislature reclassified certain mixtures of the pain killer hydrocodone to give prosecutors more leeway to go after traffickers. But before it took effect, the medical community pleaded with state officials that it would burden legitimate pain killer users. They said some patients would have to make extra doctor visits to get written prescription for refills instead of getting them over the phone, even though many were homebound by their illnesses or age. The Senate had already passed it so it now goes to the desk of Gov. Jeb Bush.
Police say hydrocodone has become one of their biggest problems in the fight against drug abuse.
It's the key ingredient in the common pain killer Vicodin. E-mail this story to a friend. Format this story for printing. Send an electronic postcard to somebody you know. Save at local area businesses.