Commission Approves Opioid Restrictions

The North Carolina Industrial Commission on Tuesday gave final approval to new restrictions on opioid prescribing for injured workers, in keeping with a 2017 legislative mandate. “Today the commission approved the adoption of nine permanent rules regarding opioids,” said Brian Ratledge, general counsel to the commission, which oversees workers’ compensation rules and regulations. The new rules will take effect May 1 and will: Limit first prescriptions of opioids and other controlled substances to a five-days' supply, or a seven days' supply following su...