NJ Adopts New Safeguards for Prescription Forms

Producers of prescription forms used by New Jersey doctors will soon have to add enhanced security features.

The state Division of Consumer Affairs adopted new regulations that will be phased in over the next six months.

Acting Attorney General John Hoffman says the changes are needed to help curb the black-market sales of prescription drugs. He says the state plans to amend its rules to require additional security features in the future.

Among the security enhancements vendors will have to make by mid-August are using color-changing ink and a barcode matching a 15-digit identification number. Future rules could require vendors to embed security measures in the paper itself.

Hoffman says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that abuse of prescription painkillers kills 45 Americans per day.

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