FDA may suggest mandatory training to dispense narcotics

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August 20, 2008

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to make special education for the prescribing of narcotics mandatory, the agency says it is making a push in that direction, reports The New York Times. The FDA says it's concerned about the prescription of long lasting narcotics as some have been implicated in patient deaths due to over prescription or patient misuse.

However, the FDA does not have the authority to make such education mandatory, says the article. Usually state medical boards are in charge of requiring licensure and most state boards have not shown interest in requiring a licensure of this sort.

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