Beshear says new law has curbed prescription abuse

Tools

Associated Press

Story Created: Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:43 PM

Story Updated: Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:45 PM

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky's new law aimed at cutting prescription drug abuse is being credited for the closure of 10 pain management clinics and a significant decrease in the amount of painkillers being prescribed.
    
Gov. Steve Beshear released figures Tuesday showing the amount of hydrocodone prescribed has dropped 7.5 percent from 20.9 million doses to 19.3 million doses by August.
    
In addition, oxycodone prescriptions declined by 6.4 percent and Xanax prescriptions fell by 9 percent over the same period.
    
Lawmakers passed the prescription drug bill in a special legislative session in April. It went into effect on July 20.
    
The law also requires medical professionals who write prescriptions to use the state's prescription monitoring system, known as KASPER. The number of users grew from 7,911 to 21,542 in six months.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)