Chicago licenses 1,500 pharmaceutical reps in opioid fight

In an effort to curb the over-prescription of opioids, the city of Chicago has licensed nearly 1,500 people as pharmaceutical representatives - people tasked with convincing doctors to prescribe certain drugs - since a city ordinance went into effect last year.

The city ordinance required that anyone working as a pharmaceutical rep in the city for more than 15 days per year must be licensed through the city. Those licenses cost $750 each, and each licensed rep is listed on the city's online data portal.

The licensing protocol is "the country's toughest regulation on pharmaceutical representatives" to protect city residents from the "predatory marketing of prescription drugs," according to a statement from the mayor's office.

For more, check chicago.suntimes.com.