Tamper-proof prescription rule put on hold

As previously reported, a new rule slated to go in effect Oct. 1 would have required all non-electronic prescriptions for Medicaid patients be written on tamper-resistant paper. Pharmacists, doctors, and others had protested the new rule's start date, which they said left little time to adopt the new system. In response to these concerns, Congress has now extended the deadline.

According to Ohio Congressman Charlie Wilson, who helped created the new rule, "the October 1st deadline was just not enough time for states and doctors and pharmacists to be able to comply with this new requirement." (Source: "Tamper-proof prescriptions held up," Marketplace, American Public Media, Sept. 27, 2007.)

The new deadline for the change to tamper-proof prescription pads will be next April. The White House estimates that Medicaid prescription fraud costs the government $100 million a year.