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Red Lake Hospital: Hydrocodone Prescriptions-Changes Coming Soon

On August 22, 2014, the DEA published a final rule changing hydrocodone combination products (Vicodin, Norco, Lorcet) to Schedule II narcotics. Schedule II narcotics are the strongest medications to treat pain; it includes such drugs as morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl. As a result of this rule, the Red Lake Hospital will need to change the way that we prescribe and dispense hydrocodone prescriptions.

After October 6, 2014:

With the DEA ruling, the Red Lake Service Unit has a new procedure to obtain hydrocodone prescriptions.

* New written prescriptions for hydrocodone products will not be allowed to have refills. Instead, a new written prescription will need to be issued by your provider each time you need a refill. This will result in increased wait times because pharmacy will need to contact your provider to request the refill AND the provider will need to issue the new written prescription each time. This takes time.

o What should I do as a patient? Call the pharmacy for a new prescription when you have a 3-day supply left.

* Already existing hydrocodone refills can be filled until April 2015.

o What should I do as a patient? Pay attention to the number of refills you have left. Call the pharmacy to request your refill when you have a 3-day supply left.

* New prescriptions can no longer be accepted by fax or phone. If you have an outside provider prescribing hydrocodone to you, you will need to hand-carry your prescription or have it mailed to the Red Lake Pharmacy. Our address is 24760 Hospital Drive Red Lake, MN 56671.

o What should I do as a patient? Call the pharmacy ahead of time when you have a 7 day supply left.

* This significant change for the hospital is being conducted without additional staff or resources. In order to continue to provide quality service for all of our patients, the pharmacy will prepare prescriptions for chronic pain twice a day. Prescriptions will be available for pick-up after 11am for morning fills and after 2:30pm for afternoon requests.

o What should I do as a patient? Plan ahead for your refills. Please realize that a lot of calls will only slow the whole process down.

* One other point-hydrocodone is a short acting pain medication. If you take it for chronic pain, your provider may talk with you about changing to a long-acting pain medication. This change would be made as part of your treatment plan.

o What should I do as a patient? Ask your provider if a longer acting medication would be a good option for you.

The Red Lake Hospital cares about your health and we want to make this transition as easy as possible for you. We hope to continue to provide quality care and exceptional customer service during the transition period. We will need to learn this new change together. The tips above will help everyone to maintain efficient access to care and services. The final rule is available on http://www.regulations.gov, and on the website, http://www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov.

 

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