Report: NYC to restrict prescription painkillers in ERs of public hospitals

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Posted: 01/10/2013

By: 41 Action News Staff

Prescription painkillers will be restricted in New York City emergency rooms to try and curb drug-seeking behavior, The New York Times reports.

Among the new policy changes: Most public hospital patients won't get more than three days' worth of narcotic painkillers, and long-acting painkillers like OxyContin won't even be offered.

While city officials said the policy will prevent the drugs from being sold on the street, it has been criticized as limiting doctors' ability to care for their patients.

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