Illinois to dispense painkillers in locked bottles

A bill that recently passed the Illinois House and Senate (House Bill 3219) would authorize a pilot project requiring that every hydrocodone prescription be dispensed from pharmacies in a bottle with a numeric combination lock built into the lid. The lock is meant to prevent anyone other than the patient who is prescribed the medication from accessing the hydrocodone drugs.

The project is capped at $150,000, and if the bill is signed by the governor, would take effect January 1, 2016.

According to the announcement, the locked medicine bottle that would be used in the pilot was created by the brother of an individual who has SUD. It is marketed commercially and retails for $11.99.

“When it comes to addiction and substance abuse issues, we've seen time and time again the need for an aggressive approach to deter abusers,” said Illinois State Representative Michael Zalewski, in a statement.