Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed an executive order Monday limiting the first fill of addictive prescription opioids to seven days.
The regulation applies to people who are enrolled in the state Medicaid program, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, and state employees enrolled in Arizona’s health insurance plan.
When asked if he believed the move puts the government between doctors and their patients, Ducey said the executive order was the right thing to do.
"You know we lost 401 Arizonans in the last year due to this issue," he said. "We know that there is a problem and we’re acting on it."
Ducey didn’t count out the possibility the 2017-2018 budget could include additional funding to support opiate addiction recovery.
The executive order does include an exception for children with cancer, chronic disease and traumatic injury.
