New opioid prescriptions likely to be limited to one-week supply after July 1

Under the plan, which would take effect July 1, the opioid supply limit would be enforced on all new patients, except those being treated for cancer or substance abuse, receiving palliative care or if a doctor certifies any additional supply is medically necessary.

Patients or their guardians also would be permitted to ask pharmacists to only partially fill a week-long opioid prescription to avoid having extra pills around the house when no longer needed.

Indiana is among the states hardest hit by the nation's opioid abuse epidemic in terms of overdose deaths and taxpayer costs.

Holcomb declared upon taking office in January that combating drug abuse is one of the "five pillars" of his agenda "to take Indiana to the next level."