Senate Bill to Curb Prescription Drug Diversion, Abuse Supported by NACDS
Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) lends its support to S. 483, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2015. Introduced by U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) last week, the bill would help ensure patient access to medications and also help curb prescription drug abuse and diversion.
In a letter of support to Sens. Hatch and Whitehouse, NACDS stated, “we are pleased to support this legislation, as it would promote comprehensive and consistent strategies to ensure that patients continue to have access to necessary medications while also addressing and preventing prescription drug diversion and abuse.”
Specifically, S. 483 would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to assess patient obstacles to legitimate access to controlled substances, to identify how collaboration between agencies and stakeholders can benefit patients and prevent diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, and to provide their findings in a report to Congress.
“We are appreciative that this legislation would require HHS and DEA to consult with patient and provider groups, including pharmacies, among other stakeholders,” NACDS stated in its letter. “Pharmacies play an important role in efforts to prevent prescription drug diversion and abuse.”
S. 483 is similar to H.R. 471, which passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week. Introduced last month in the House by Reps. Tom Marino (R-PA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Judy Chu (D-CA), H.R. 471 is also supported by NACDS.
Filed under: General Problems
I wonder if too if patient communitys, chronic pain, could help with this. Seems this may hurt us in a way too, a little confused
after ready the post about the gentleman that had to threaten Walgreens to sue to get his prescription because of discrimination. I am leary Steve of the Pharmacies and the process they use to weed out people who are legit Pain PT. from the illegal ones. Also you have the DEA pointing the finger at whole sale suppliers and Pharmacies.. Pharmacies pointing the finger at the DEA or suppliers it is frustrating who or what to believe in at this moment Steve?
And…. How will they determine ACCESS?? The powers that BE seen to not be practicing MD’s…. So how will the government determine who is WORTHY OR NOT???
Um and what,will they do?i dont understand this.