Bill would regulate addiction treatment

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The Ohio House has approved a bill regulating medicine used to treat painkiller addicts.

The legislation requires a distribution license for drugs containing buprenorphine and limits how much of the drug can be prescribed at a time.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Ryan Smith, a Republican from Bidwell in southern Ohio, and Rep. Robert Sprague, a Findlay Republican, is meant to keep the drug from being abused itself.

Buprenorphine, often known by its brand name Suboxone, treats addicts’ withdrawal symptoms and blocks brain receptors to counter the effect of craving for narcotics such as heroin.

The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the measure, which now goes to the Senate.