The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association is collecting data through an online survey that will remain available until March 8 to evaluate whether hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab) being moved from a Schedule III opioid medication to Schedule II under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act has impacted care for those suffering from chronic pain.

Being classified as a Schedule II opioid medication means that stricter regulations by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration must be followed by pharmacists and doctors while prescribing and filling these medications. This fact may have significantly changed how hydrocodone is prescribed, and by participating in this survey, the Association can have a clearer picture of how this federal ruling affects medication accessibility.

Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary, and there will be no identifying information collected throughout the questionnaire. This is an opportunity to let the voices of patients with chronic pain be heard in a way that can actually affect policy. Everyone that received hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin, Lorcet) prescriptions to address chronic pain in the last year can participate in the survey; those under 18 years and did not receive these specific medications should not participate.

This survey is one of many surveys that will be conducted to learn more about the impact of these new regulations from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on those who relied or still rely on prescription medicines to address and manage chronic pain conditions.

Eligible patients are strongly encouraged to take part in the entire series since accurate information from the exact same group of responders will provide a more accurate picture about the theme. At the end of the survey, participants will be given the chance to subscribe to the mailing list that will send out news of future surveys.

This survey might help answer two main questions: (1) how these regulations have altered the access to hydrocodone medications for those that have been relying on them to live with chronic pain; and (2) the consequences of pharmacists deciding not to fill prescriptions written by those caring for their patients.