Doctors not prepared for new prescription pad rules

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Millions of Medicaid patients and their pharmacists could be in for a nasty surprise Oct. 1.

A tiny provision tucked into a spending bill for Iraq requires that prescriptions for Medicaid patients be written on "tamper-resistant" pads. But most doctors do not use such pads.

The law is designed to make it harder for patients to obtain controlled drugs illegally and easier for the government to save money. The quick start date leaves little time to educate doctors and pharmacists.

"Our members are absolutely flabbergasted that they're going to be put on the hook for denying prescriptions if something is not on a tamperproof pad," said Paul Kelly, vice president of government affairs for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. "Our biggest fear is the negative impact this could have on patient care and access to prescriptions."

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/324220_medicaid19.html