Despite New Law, Thousands Of Doctors In N.C. Are Over-Prescribing Opioids

Several recent surveys show that thousands of doctors in North Carolina are over-prescribing opioids, in violation of a new state law. 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says more than 16,000 doctors across the state prescribed too many opioids in March alone.

The survey, which was presented to the state Medical Board on Tuesday, focuses on physicians.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield released a study on Monday that claims about 4,500 doctors, dentists and other medical professionals wrote prescriptions exceeding state-mandated limits between January and April.

The NC STOP Act went into effect January 1st.  The law limits opioid prescriptions to five days for first-time patients with short-term pain, or seven days if the patient had surgery.

The News and Observer reports the March survey is the first time DHHS has provided the Medical Board with the names of errant doctors.

The paper says while the board is questioning the accuracy of the data, it's taking the scale of potential violations seriously, and scrambling to address the issue.