Hydrocodone with acetaminophen has been the most widely prescribed drug since 2007, with more than 135 million prescriptions written in 2012. Due to its high potential for abuse, the drug has received much attention in the last several years and has been the subject of federal and state efforts to curb opioid abuse (read Jones Day's previous coverage here). The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency ("DEA") recently published its final rule moving hydrocodone products from Schedule III to Schedule II, a more restrictive classification reflecting FDA's 2013 recommendation to DEA. Effective October 6, 2014, the rule's intent is to help achieve a better balance between minimizing the recreational use of these drugs and maintaining access for patients with a real need for the drug.
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