Many people responding to proposed state rules regulating painkillers for chronic pain patients say those patients should automatically be given prescriptions for anti-overdose drugs.
Other commenters say having physicians offer anti-overdose drugs doesn't go far enough. The comments obtained by The Associated Press through a records request also say requiring the anti-overdose prescription is in line with federal guidelines. The rules announced last month apply to the treatment of patients with sub-acute pain, lasting between six and 12 weeks, and long-term pain, lasting 12 weeks or more. The rules establish methods for assessing the use of medication based on the strength of prescriptions.