Illinois Legislature Passes First-in-Nation Bill for Locking Caps on Painkillers

A first-of-its-kind bill recently passed in Illinois requires pharmacies opting-in to place a locking device on prescription painkiller containers.

“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.

If the governor of Illinois signs the bill, the plan will be tested for one year. It will require the participation of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation along with select participating pharmacies. The unique bill specifies all prescribed hydrocodone painkillers must be contained in a medicine bottle with a numerical locking device, such as those used for gym locks.

A Northern California family, suffering from its own experience with drug addiction, hopes to be a player in the state’s effort to clamp down on drug misuse/abuse. The Simpson family rallied when the youngest member became addicted to OxyContin, stealing one pill at a time from his mother’s prescription. Joseph Simpson, an older brother and Sacramento State University graduate, created Safer Lock, the only personal 4-digit combination locking prescription bottle currently on the market. The unique product has been certified to protect children under the age of 7 from unauthorized access to prescription medication, while allowing seniors up to the age of 70 easy access.

Gatekeeper Innovation, Safer Lock’s parent company, along with Ohio-based Centor, has already placed the product in major retail chains such as Giant Eagle, Roundy’s and Save Mart. Also available online, the medicine locking closure retails for $11.99. Safer Lock fits on most traditional prescription bottles. Adaptors are available for non-standard sized bottles.

“We’re an inexpensive insurance policy for parents,” says Simpson. “A locking cap significantly reduces any incident of accidental ingestion and provides peace of mind for families.”

The Simpson family’s goal is to educate other families about drug access and provide an easy-to-use, locking prescription bottle as a strong first line of defense.

The bill, if signed into law, would take effect January 1, 2016.

Source: Gatekeeper Innovation.