ALBANY (AP) -- The Cuomo administration, attorney general's office and legislative leaders are negotiating measures to curb the black market in hydrocodone and other addictive painkillers.
Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has been pushing "real time" online review and reporting by doctors and pharmacists of each prescription written and filled for a patient. That would prevent doctor shopping by addicts and dealers who resell drugs.
The Republican-controlled Senate has passed bills to reclassify hydrocodone, sold as Vicodin, Norco and Lortab, to the same restricted group as oxycodone. That would require a new prescription each time. Another Senate-passed bill would increase criminal penalties for physicians and pharmacists who illegally divert prescription drugs.
Spokesmen for Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Schneiderman and legislative leaders confirm ongoing talks.
The Legislature is back in session next week.
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