Michigan passes controlled substances bill

A new bill that eliminates the need for a special prescription form for controlled substances has been passed by the Michigan state legislature.

It pertains mainly to Schedule 2 drugs, according to Dr. Peter Prescott, executive director of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association.

He says the association has not taken a position on the bill because few of these drugs are prescribed by veterinarians.

"The reason that the bill is out there is that it is being pushed by people in hospices," says Prescott. "There's a lot of controversy on physicians with regulations so strict they are afraid to use pain medications for the terminally ill."