Survey of hydrocodone patients shows schedule changes negatively impact treatment

A survey of pain patients to assess the effects of rescheduling hydrocodone has shown that it negatively impacts doctor-patient relationships and causes higher expenses to the patient.

The survey was conducted by the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, to gauge the effects of rescheduling hydrocodone from Schedule III to Schedule II. It has been the most widely-prescribed medication in the USA, with 130 million annual prescriptions, and is frequently prescribed for pain in combination with other medications.

The new Drug Enforcement Administration regulation which came in October 2014 rescheduled hydrocodone from Schedule III to Schedule II, and limits patients to a smaller maximum supply between doctor visits. It means that patients must now see a prescriber for each handwritten prescription renewal. The goal was to reduce criminal activity and deaths from drug overdoses.