(RALEIGH) -- A new law goes into effect Thursday that will require a photo identification to purchase a prescriptions for certain drugs such as Oxycontin and Vicodin.  Christopher Gauthier with the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists said it will be a challenge to fully implement the regulations.

"Things like delivery...how do we make sure that the patient has an ID when we deliver the medication, and a photo ID at that.  The elderly in group homes and assisted living situations that are still getting their prescriptions from an outside pharmacy," said Gauthier.

He added that the new requirement will certainly slow down the process at pharmacies. "Be patientt.  These changes are going to affect everybody.  The pharmacy profession is doing its best to try and handle these changes in a way that's not going to inconvenience the public, but just be patient and be open and be sure to talk to your pharmacists and express your concerns."

State Attorney General Roy Cooper said the new law should cut down on the number of people coming to the state to fill fraudulent prescriptions.