Norco Shortage In Michigan (Page 16)
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Is anyone else having problems finding a pharmacy to fill their scripts of Norco? I have been taking them for a few years now for my chronic pain. I always go to the same pharmacy chain, and its always the same doctor who writes my scripts, but since the new law change no one seems to have them in stock. Some pharmacists told me it was a manufacturer back order. We are told not to go without our meds, but yet how is that possible if we can't get them? Anyone knows of a pharmacy that has Norco 10/325 in the metro Detroit area?

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REPORT

Yes walgreens has a 5-7 day waiting period due to a new good faith despensing poilicy they have in place. They are under investigation for filling bogus prescriptions. Then of you do wait the 5-7 days they're is still a high chance of not filling them.

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I could be wrong but I heard they can't fill that either. You may want to call ahead to the pharmacy to check.

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Going to the doc this week to see if he can change my meds, seeing the Norco just makes the pain tolerated, I'm guessing oxy would be the next step? But am I going to be able to get that filled? Surgery is inevitable, but I can't afford not to work right now.. looking like no matter what, I'm screwed with pain...

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THEY RUN COMMERCIALS ABOUT CATS AND DOGS, AND THE LOCAL NEWS RUN STORYS. ETC....HOW SICK THEY ARE ! BUT WHEN IT COMES TO US HUMANS THEY COULD CARE LESS , WHOS SUFFERING OR WHOS DYING ! BECAUSE OF THE CRAP THATS GOING DOWN WITH THE DRUG COMPANIES..............

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I have also noticed something else. Before the schedule change of Hydrocodone there were commercials on TV and the radio constantly for pain medication addiction. Since the change I have not seen, or heard one. Someone, somewhere, succeeded in pushing their agenda. !!!! Has anyone seen even one story on the news about the Hydrocodone unavailability ??? Very fishy !!!!

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I had the same thought. The Obama Administration forcing DETOX. Grounds for litigation!!!!

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I agree.....they are full of it !!!

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I have yet to find a pharmacy in the detroit metro area that has 5s, or 7.5s. If you know of some places please share that info.

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Yep, no Norco in Central Florida as well. Same answers as all of you guys elsewhere with the backorders. I am in no way a conspiracy theorist, but there is something fishy here. All of the mfg knew about the schedule change for a long time... time enough to get things in order. Its like the FDA / DEA are purposely forcing detox on all dependent users to curb use... if it is a legit need or not. Just a thought as I am in the same boat as all of you. By the way, Gabapentin is a godsend when you are in "forced detox"

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I promise you it is not the pharmacy's fault. Pharmacies were not told that they was going to be on back order. They just knew of the classification change. One thing you can do is ask what they do have alot of pharmacies have the norco 5 or 7.5. Try that and the dr can rewrite the script and change the dosage.

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I am all for a legal suit against the FDA and DEA. There is no repercussions or responsibility on their behalf for the patients. Anyone else on board ?

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Well folks next month Nov.28th Norco will be available.

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Kinda funny how they're really pushing suboxone. All of a sudden. I do believe this is some kind of conspiracy to get everybody that's hooked on the pain killers off of them. We'll see them start to trickle back into pharmacies again in about a month. In the mean time people will have found help other alternatives. Then the Fda and the government can say that just by taking them away they helped fight the war on pain killer addiction and abuse. I have rheumatoid arthritis. Been taking norco 10s for years. Even when I'm not in pain need at least one or 2 pills a day just to kick the edge. Doc substitiuted with tylonol 4s which are absolutly terrible. I called the doc office and told them this fact and they acted like it was no big deal. They said we can try some tramadol, which is even worse to come off of then a narcotic. To dull the edge you guys can try a mix of motrin 800 and Valium. Or 222s from canada, or flexeral and naproxen. You guys know you have all this stuff, just put it to good use and watch the liver abuse. Milkthisel is good at building liver enzymes. Hopefully we can all get through this bulls***. Good luck eveybody.

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Long Beach CA same thing, no one seems to have it til "maybe Tues" CRAZY! I'm calling mfr to add my name to the list of PISSED off patients....

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Thanks for you good wishes and sympathy. I hope you won't end up with more surgeries. Good luck.

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Unfortunately, when everyone starts going through withdrawal and can't stand the pain they will turn to H for relief. Our government at it's finest!!!

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WELL IT WILL BE 45 DAYS OR MORE FOLKS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF....REMEMBER HOW LONG IT TOOK EXCEDRIN TO COME BACK ON THE MARKET LAST YEAR............

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Healthcare 8/22/2014 @ 1:55PM 206 586 views

New Rules For Hydrocodone: What You Should Know

Comment Now Follow Comments

Welcome readers: In the month that this post has been up, it has generated abundant discussion among patients taking hydrocodone. Most important to me are those whose voices were not heard in the decision-making process and who will be extremely inconvenienced by the upscheduling of this drug. If you have a personal story to share, please comment below {edited for privacy}. I plan on writing an update after the October 6 change. Thank you for reading.

* * * * *

IMPORTANT UPDATE, October 4: Some of you have reported learning that all prescriptions for hydrocodone combination products have been nullified for post-October 6 refill by many of your pharmacies. Although the DEA rule does indeed allow your current prescriptions to be refilled, it appears that conflicts with state pharmacy laws are causing your refills to be denied without a new prescription on or after October 6.

In response to the DEA allowance, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has said, “‘However, state law, insurance limitations and some pharmacy quality and safety operations and processes may not allow for these prescriptions to be refilled.’

Citing efforts to work with healthcare stakeholders, including prescribers and patient groups, to help prevent any potential disruptions to healthcare delivery, NACDS expressed concern in its comments stating,

‘Most states have not provided clarity with respect to whether such refills will be valid under state law. Moreover, most pharmacies will not be able to process such refills due to existing quality and safety operations and processes; such pharmacy operations and processes cannot be modified in a mere 45-day time frame,” NACDS said in its statement.

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Norco manufactures.... Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Senior Vice President 484-216-7158.....Vintage/Qualitest Pharmaceuticals- 800-444-4011

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Announcements

Changes coming for some pain medicines

September 3rd 2014, American Academy of Pain Management

On August 22, 2014, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made a rule that puts new controls on some kinds of pain medicine. This rule comes after lots of government agencies and groups for people with pain, people with drug abuse problems, and healthcare providers have discussed it for more than 10 years.

The DEA’s rule will goes into effect on October 6, 2014. It will cause some big changes to how some pain medicines are prescribed. We want you to know about these changes, so that you can work with your healthcare providers to keep from running out of medicine.

What medicines are affected?

There are 65 brand names of these medicines on the market, as well as their generic versions. Here are some of the brand names, as well as a way to know if your generic medicine is affected:

•Vicodin, Vicodin ES, Vicodin HP
•Lortab, Lorcet, Lorcet Plus
•Norco
•Zydone
•Vicoprofen
•Cough medicines including hydrocodone
•Any other medicine that includes the word “hydrocodone” and one of the following:
Aspirin
ASA
Acetaminophen
APAP
Ibuprofen

If you have refills left on your prescription

After the new rule goes into effect on October 6, pharmacies will not be able to refill prescriptions for these medicines. If you already have a prescription, and it has refills left on it, those refills will be canceled on October 6, and you will need to get a new prescription from your prescriber.

Also, after the rule goes into effect, your prescriber will not be able to call in a prescription for these medicines to the pharmacy. If you are going to keep taking these medicines and need a new prescription, you will need to get a new written prescription from your prescriber.

This means that, if you are going to need a refill after October 6, it would be a good idea for you to talk to your prescriber now, so the two of you can decide how to get you the prescription you will need.

Some prescribers might decide that they need to have you come in for an office visit before writing a new prescription. Others might decide that they can just write a prescription and have you pick it up at their office.

Other details for your prescriber

The new rules will no longer allow refills, but there is a way that you can get prescriptions with enough medicine to last for three months. Your prescriber will need to know about how to do this, and will need to write your prescriptions in a certain way to make this happen. If your prescriber does not know about this, he or she can find information about the rules here.

A final word: Keep your medicines safe

The DEA is making this new rule because a lot of people don’t use their pain medicines the way they should be used. Sometimes, people use pain medicines without having a prescription for them. That is very dangerous, and they can die if they do that.

When they are asked, most people who use pain medicines that don't have a prescription say that they got the medicine from a friend or a relative. Sometimes they say they got it for free, sometimes they say they bought it, and sometimes they say they stole it.

Because a lot of people who don't have a prescription want to get these medicines, it is very important that you keep them in a safe place. If you have a place where you can lock them up, please use it. If you don’t have a place like that, please hide your pain medicines in a place where no one would think to look for them. And importantly, don’t tell anyone else where they are, because you might not know who wants to get them.

If you have medicines left over, for any reason, please get rid of them as soon as possible. The DEA and your local police or sheriff’s department usually have special “take-back” days in April and October of each year. At other times, you can mix your extra medicines with something unpleasant, like used kitty litter or used coffee grounds, put them into a sealed plastic bag, and then put them into your household trash. Just be as sure as you can that no one who doesn't have a prescription will be able to get them out of your trash and use them.

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