Final answer:
Each Schedule II prescription form allows for the prescription of just one drug, to closely monitor and manage the distribution of high-risk medications and reduce the likelihood of prescription pain pill abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
On each Schedule II prescription form, only one drug may be prescribed. This restriction is in place as part of the controlled measures to prevent abuse and diversion of high-risk medications, which include opiates and opioids such as Oxycodone, Morphine, Fentanyl, and methadone. These drugs are carefully regulated due to their potential for addiction and are implicated in prescription pain pill abuse.
The opioids crisis has led to an increase in drug overdoses, particularly from these potent pain relievers. Medication overuse, whether it is prescription or illegal drugs like heroin and synthetic opioids, has contributed significantly to the health crisis. In response to this, efforts have been intensified to monitor and control the distribution of Schedule II drugs through strict regulations on prescriptions.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, in contrast, are medications like aspirin that do not require a prescription, thereby posing a lower risk of abuse compared to Schedule II substances.