Beginning January 1, 2017, a couple of new laws will go into effect in Florida.
“These new laws are intended to diminish the abuse of medications,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent health insurance agency.
Cough Medicines-SB 938, prohibits the sale of cough medicines containing the synthetically produced dextromethorphan to people under the age of 18 and requires identification from those presumed younger than 25.
Dextromethorphan is commonly found in cough medicines such as: Robitussin, Alka Seltzer Plus, Tylenol Cough & Cold and Vick’s NyQuil. According to WebMD, “Dextromethorphan or DMX, is in almost half of all over-the-counter drugs sold in the U.S.”
Legislation was proposed after reports were confirmed of teenagers using cough medicine to get high. WebMD also reports, a 2008 study found 1 in 10 teens abuse cough medicine. When used properly, DMX products are safe but high doses can cause hallucinogenic trips and pose serious health risks.
Opioid Insurance Coverage-SB 422, prohibits insurance policies that cover opioid medications with exceptions, from requiring prior authorization for abuse-deterrent versions of the medications.
Supporters of the measure argued the change is intended, in part, to make it easier for people to access medication less likely to cause addiction. “Florida lawmakers have provided a solution to address the prescription drug abuse problem in Florida, says Buck with GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent health insurance agency.
Website, Drugabuse.com shares, approximately 23.5 million Americans struggle with chronic pain. Regrettably, the 104 percent increase in painkiller prescriptions between 2000 and 2010 has not resulted in improvement in pain control or disability outcomes.
A destructive cycle can occur when patients become dependent on opiate pain killers. Millions of people are addicted. Once these opiates become difficult to get or too expensive, many turn to heroin.
GreatFlorida Insurance provides quality health insurance policies for all levels of coverage. Talk with an agent today.
