Hydrocodone rescheduled as of Oct. 6

As of Oct. 6, hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) will be rescheduled into Controlled Substance Schedule II. These products are currently Schedule III.

This means that prescriptions that are issued on, or after, Oct. 6 must comply with the requirements of Schedule II. Note that refills will be prohibited for HCP prescriptions issued after Oct. 6. If a patient has a prescription with refills that was issued prior to that date, the refills will be permitted under the law to be filled until April 2015; however, more stringent state laws, insurance limitations, or pharmacy processes could prevent the refills from being filled.

Additionally, new prescriptions for these products must be submitted to the pharmacy either electronically, or by a hard-copy, original prescription; prescriptions for HCPs will not be allowed to be submitted by telephone. Additional information about the new regulations can be found in the Federal Register.