I don't think this will happen.

Mallinckrodt, Watson, Knoll, Abbott, etc. will not watch their fortunes evaporate. Chronic pain advocacy groups will lobby. As hydro is one of the best selling drugs in America, the drug distributors won't just sit back and watch their profits nosedive.

This is good PR for the DEA who has to say *something* about the hydro abuse. They'll make it seem like they care, but not do anything about it.

It is such a popular drug with so many legit uses- the percentage who abuse it is so small. I just can't see this happening, it would put a ridiculous strain on patients. It would also make hydrocodone much less popular, as a doctor would be more likely to rx percocet, seeing as (s)he has to write a CII anyway.

But if this does happen, welp, I'll switch to codeine and Stadol. Would be a big disappointment, but I don't think it will happen- and if it does, it will take them forever.

Just my 2 cents, but my gut feeling is they will not go through with this. It's a scare tactic.

-yawkaw