According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 20 states have implemented some type of prescription-monitoring system to track physicians who prescribe narcotics. Six other states are considering monitoring systems.

In addition, the DEA is moving towards reclassifying hydrocodone, the most commonly prescribed pain drug in the country, which has a high street value. The tighter regulation would mean patients would be unable to get refills of the drug without obtaining a new prescription from a doctor.

The DEA is also being more aggressive in prosecuting doctors who write prescriptions for large amounts of narcotics that eventually end up on illegal markets. In the year that ended last September, the DEA arrested 50 doctors on improper-prescribing matters.

"Doctors can't be pill pushers," says Bobb Williamson, deputy chief in the office of diversion control at the DEA. "Legally, they are treated like drug dealers."

Because of the government's initiatives, chronic-pain sufferers are finding that doctors are reluctant to prescribe certain painkillers. Legitimate doctors said enforcement is hindering their approach to treating severe pain cases.

"I'm terrified," says Dennis Ford, a specialist in Chattanooga, Tenn., who has significantly reduced his OxyContin prescriptions. He prescribes more morphine and pain patches because they don't have as much street value and are less likely to attract the attention of regulators.

Karen Tandy, the DEA's administrator, said regulators are trying to take a balanced approach. "I don't want legitimate patients in pain undertreated because of fears of criminal persecution," she said.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:
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Posted by toni on 05 Mar 08 09:23 AM EST

what about a sickle cell patient who has been on methodone for 18 yrs and has constant pain with all the other complications. should the doctor quit prescribing the medication for this patient?

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