The report found that 170,000 Medicare beneficiaries received prescriptions from five or more medical professionals for 14 different frequently abused drugs, such as hydrocone and oxycodone products including OxyContin and Percocet. The drugs were obtained under Part D of Medicare, which covers prescription drugs.
“Federal dollars intended to address the health needs of the elderly and the poor are instead being used to feed addictions or to pad the wallets of drug dealers. This is clearly unacceptable,” said Senator Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.).
The report was presented at a Senate hearing today.
Related Articles on Prescription Drug Abuse:
Connecticut Revokes Addiction Psychiatrist’s License for Pain Prescriptions
Four Deaths From Oxycodone Abuse Logged at Florida Heart Hospital
Study: Prescription Painkillers Key Gateway to Heroin Use
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