By ERIC EYRE
Charleston Gazette-Mail
The number of potentially addictive prescription drugs dispensed by West Virginia pharmacies dropped by 31 million in 2017, the sharpest decline in a single year since the state started tracking such powerful medications.
Controlled substances, which include prescription painkillers, anti-anxiety medications and amphetamines, declined by 12 percent between 2016 and 2017, according to the state Board of Pharmacy’s annual report.
Hydrocodone — sold under brand names like Vicodin and Lortab — remained the most-prescribed pain medication, but the number of pills dispensed dropped by 8.4 million tablets. Oxycodone numbers decreased by 9.3 million.
Media reports, investigations and a barrage of lawsuits against drug companies, pharmacies and doctors have raised awareness about prescription narcotics and overdose deaths, said Mike Goff, acting executive director of the West Virginia pharmacy board.
Read the entire article: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/health/wv-pharmacies-dispensed-m-fewer-painkillers-and-other-powerful-drugs/article_c8756a55-8cac-5618-9f86-2e0e990d0e72.html
See more from the Charleston Gazette-Mail