House reintroduces legislation to thwart drug diversion
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., discusses the bill in July of last year
WASHINGTON — Four House representatives on Thursday reintroduced legislation designed to help prevent prescription drug abuse and diversion and ensure patient access to necessary medications by creating a more collaborative partnership between drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retail pharmacies and federal enforcement and oversight agencies.
The bill, Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2015, was introduced by Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Judy Chu, D-Calif., Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores expressed its support of the legislation in a letter to Rep. Marino. NACDS emphasized the importance of policies such as this bill that enable law enforcement to serve the public and act to address prescription drug diversion and abuse, while still maintaining patient access to medically necessary medications. Specifically, H.R. 471 would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to work jointly with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Office of National Drug Control Policy to assess obstacles to legitimate patient access to controlled substances, and to identify how collaboration between agencies and stakeholders can benefit patients and prevent diversion and abuse of prescription drugs.
“This legislation would require HHS to consult with patient and provider groups, including pharmacies, among other stakeholders. We appreciate the recognition of pharmacies as critical stakeholders in efforts to prevent prescription drug diversion and abuse,” NACDS stated in its letter.
“This legislation will help facilitate greater collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulators in our nation’s effort to combat prescription drug abuse, while also ensuring that patients who need medication are able to receive it," Blackburn said in September 2014, when companion legislation was introduced in the Senate. "This bipartisan, bicameral effort will ensure the law is crystal clear for both DEA and legitimate businesses who want to understand what the rules are so they can do the right thing. It is our hope that the Senate will act quickly on this legislation to ensure the prescription drug supply chain is safe and secure for the patients that truly rely upon it to alleviate pain and treat illnesses.”
“HDMA is pleased that this legislation has been reintroduced in the 114th Congress,” commented John Gray, president and CEO for the Healthcare Distrubtion Management Association. “Similar to its predecessor, H.R. 4709, which moved quickly through the House last year, this bill will help to create a more robust and transparent process to address the diversion of controlled substances. The main goal of this legislation is to strengthen the relationship between supply chain stakeholders and regulators, and encourage constructive dialogue to help mitigate this serious public health issue. HDMA and the nation’s primary pharmaceutical distributors thank Reps. Marino, Blackburn, Welch and Chu for continuing to champion this legislation, and pledge to work toward its swift passage in the new Congress.”
Identical legislation introduced in the 113th Congress was passed by the U.S. House last fall. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on H.R. 471 next week.