Big change to make it harder for patients to get pain killers like Vicodin

[Divernan]

51. I would research this country by country; here's some starting points.

Here's some info on specific countries - i.e., where to research to find out what they use for pain control. I agree strongly with the poster who commented that in more advanced countries with excellent health care, problems are addressed long before health deteriorates to the point that a lifetime of pain medication is the only answer. The guest speaker at my next month's AAUW meeting program is:
titled "Chronic Pain: Does it have to be a pain?" with physical and occupational therapy specialists presenting the talk. I will make it a point to ask them what is used for pain control in these European countries. They may not know the answer either, but it will give them something to think about.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone

Australia
In Australia, hydrocodone is a Schedule 8 (S8) or Controlled Drug.
Austria
Hydrocodone is regulated in the same fashion as in Germany (see below) under the Austrian Suchtmittelgesetz; since 2002 it has been available in the form of German products and those produced elsewhere in the European Union under Article 76 of the Schengen Treaty—prior to this, no Austrian companies produced hydrocodone products, with dihydrocodeine, nicomorphine, and nicocodeine being more commonly used for the same levels of pain and the former and last for coughing. The latter two were Austrian inventions of the first years of the 20th Century. Nicocodeine, the nicotinoyl ester of codeine, is virtually identical in strength to hydrocodone. A third, nicodicodeine, the dihydrocodeine analogue of nicocodeine, and acetyldihydrocodeine and thebacon, acetyl esters of dihydrocodeine and hydrocodone respectively, were also used. Nicocodeine is known as Tusscodin, and abroad as Lyopect. It is a prodrug for nicomorphine in the same way hydrocodone is for hydromorphone; nicomorphine is a strong opioid of the 3,6 diester (heroin-nicomorphine-dibenzoylmorphine) type which is also stronger than morphine but not quite the milligramme strength of hydromorphone but with a faster onset of action.
Belgium
In Belgium, hydrocodone is no longer available for medical use.
Canada
In Canada, hydrocodone is a controlled substance and is available by prescription only. Hydrocodone is prescribed alone as well as in proprietary combinations, typically with an NSAID or paracetamol,
France
In France, hydrocodone (Vicodin) is no longer available for medical use. Hydrocodone is a prohibited narcotic.
Germany
In Germany, hydrocodone is no longer available for medical use. Hydrocodone is listed under the Betäubungsmittelgesetz as a Suchtgift in the same category as morphine.
Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, hydrocodone is available by prescription under the name Biocodone. Prescriptions are more commonly given for use as a cough suppressant (antitussive) rather than for pain relief (analgesic).
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, hydrocodone is not available for medical use and is classified as a List 1 drug under the Opium Law.
Sweden
Hydrocodone is no longer available for medical use. The last remaining formula was banned in 1967.
United Kingdom
In the UK, hydrocodone is not available for medical use and is listed as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Various formulations of dihydrocodeine, a weaker opioid, are frequently used as an alternative for the aforementioned indications of hydrocodone use.