Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login
Pandemic helped spread fentanyl across US, drive opioid deaths to new high (theconversation.com)
4 points by CapitalistCartr on Nov 22, 2021 | hide | past | favorite | 1 comment



One issue the article didn’t mention is that the regulations around remote prescribing of controlled substances were relaxed during COVID. Under the relaxed rules, prescribers aren’t required to have an in-person evaluation or relationship with a person before prescribing controlled substances.

The (predictable) side effect of this has been an explosion of “pill mill” services that will subscribe controlled substances over a quick video call. I’m honesty not sure how much this is happening with opioids, but I do know of several companies that have appeared during the pandemic with the express purpose of writing people controlled substance prescriptions on a subscription-style basis over remote visits. One person was bragging that they were able to get the maximum recommended dose of a certain controlled substance after a short call with one of these companies.

The companies don’t take insurance. Cash only. It must be a profitable business to quickly rotate through calls, writing prescriptions with only a few minutes of talk before moving on to the next patient. Then the patient returns next month for a refill.

It’s so bad that I received an Instagram ad for one of these services, complete with a Web2.0 stylized landing page that suggested it was easy to get the meds I need without visiting a doctor. It didn’t mention controlled substances explicitly, but it was very clear what they were prescribing and their FAQ made it extremely clear that they could prescribe me controlled substances.

It feels like the FDA is asleep at the wheel again, reminiscent of the precious “pill mill” epidemics not that long ago.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: