NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a new effort to tackle the deadly opioid addiction crisis in the United States, CVS Pharmacy announced it will limit opioid prescriptions to seven days for certain conditions.
Currently more Tennesseans are dying from opioid overdoses than ever before.
“We’ve seen it across the country,” said Larry Merlo, President and CEO of CVS Health. “Our goal is to ensure patients receive the clinical appropriate medication for the condition for which they are being treated.”
The 7 day restriction will apply to patients who are new to pain therapy. The new program will also limit the daily dosage of pain bills based on the strength, and require customers to undergo more counseling when they pick up their medication.
The limits to the 7 day supply only apply to certain acute prescriptions for conditions like minor surgery or a dental procedure. It does not apply to patients being treated for chronic pain. None of the limits apply to patients receiving cancer or hospice care.
CVS officials said the changes in line with CDC guidelines.
“For an ankle sprain, or a dental procedure, while the individual may be in pain, it doesn’t call for a prescription for quantities for 30 pills and 60 pills,” said Merlo.
The company also plans to expand its drug disposal collection program to 1,550 units with the addition of 750 kiosks at pharmacies nationwide.
New statistics released by the Tennessee Department of Health show the number of people who died from drug overdoses increased 12% over the last year. Four Tennesseans a day are dying from opioid overdoses.
Dr. Shawn Pruitt, owner and pharmacist at Pruitt’s Discount Pharmacy, said the changes at CVS may address future problems, but more needs to be done to address the opioid epidemic currently gripping Tennessee.
“We need to start with the manufacturers, the prescribers, and down to the pharmacies,” said Dr. Pruitt.
He said he has several safeguards in place to check up on his customers. He makes sure customers come from the geographical area, and he checks their identification before filling their prescriptions. He also checks with a state database that monitors where patients are going for their drugs in an effort to stop doctor shopping. He said bonified patients who have a legitimate need for these medications should not be punished.
“We may engage them in a discussion,” said Dr. Pruitt. “We also require you can’t fill a narcotic by itself. You have to show us your doctor is using other treatment strategies other than the narcotic only.”
CVS hopes the changes balance patients’ needs while saving lives.
The changes go into effect February of 2018.
