Pubdate: Tue, 22 Mar 2016
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2016 Associated Press
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52

LAWMAKERS SEEK TO LIMIT OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS

Conn. Bill Would Limit Opioid Prescriptions

Hartford (AP) - Connecticut lawmakers are seeking to place new limits 
on opioid prescriptions to help address the problem of deadly 
overdoses. The General Assembly's Public Health Committee forwarded a 
bill on Monday that would limit doctors to writing only seven-day 
prescriptions for first-time adult patients. Those patients would 
have to return to their physician to have a prescription refilled, 
possibly for a longer period. Democratic Sen. Terry Gerrantana, the 
committee's co-chairman, says lawmakers "realize what is happening in 
our communities" with the large number of deadly drug overdoses in 
Connecticut. The bill would also allow "standing orders" for 
pharmacists to prescribe opioid antagonists, such as Narcan, to 
friends and family of someone at risk of overdosing. The bill has 
received bipartisan support. It now awaits action in the state Senate.
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