PHARMACISTS MUST NOW REPORT OXYCONTIN PRESCRIPTIONS

Pharmacists will be required to report prescriptions for certain controlled
substances to a central repository beginning Sept. 1.

Along with the powerful painkiller Oxycontin, controlled substances such as
morphine, codeine and opium will be reported. The new law allows physicians
to make sure patients are not receiving the same medication from more than
one doctor.

Local law enforcement thinks the bill was desperately needed.

"In some of our investigations, multiple doctors are involved," said Capt.
Rick Woodyard, coordinator of the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force.

Oxycontin, the nation's best-selling prescription painkiller, should not be
restricted, he noted.

"In our research talking with medical personnel, for its purpose, it is a
very good drug," Woodyard said. "I think it would have been illogical to
stop its use."

Wood County Sheriff Steve Greiner agreed.

"It's an important medicine to legitimate people," he said.

Greiner said taking Oxycontin off the market would cause a backlash.

"If you start with that, you'll take other drugs off the market," he said.
"Just because it's abused, that doesn't mean it should be taken off the
market. It's not fair to the people who need it. That hurts the legitimate
people."

The bill also helps law enforcement, as it gives officers access to
repository records after they've established probable cause.

Greiner said the bill is just a continuation of what local pharmacists have
already been practicing.

"Pharmacists in the area have been very cooperative with us," he said.
"They work with us really close."

He said the sheriff's department has been tipped off by pharmacists
reporting possible methamphetamine producers.

"They have been terrific with letting us know about multiple buys from
people buying stuff for meth labs," Greiner said.

Schedule II drugs, which are considered to have a high potential for abuse,
are currently reported by pharmacists.

The recently-signed bill adds schedule III and IV drugs, such as Oxycontin,
to the repository.

Oxycontin is designed to treat moderate to severe chronic pain. However,
abusers found they could get a heroin-like high by ingesting crushed pills.

"Steps have to be taken to curtail its use," Woodyard said.