Davis reintroduces bill with stricter rules for pharmacists dispensing opioids

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) on April 5 reintroduced legislation that would require more responsible dispensing of opioid prescriptions by pharmacists in order to give law enforcement additional help with combating the nation’s opioid crisis.

“Overdose deaths have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it even more critical than ever that law enforcement and health officials have the tools they need to combat drug abuse, including opioid abuse,” the congressman said.

Sponsored by Rep. Davis, the Opioid Prescription Verification Act, H.R. 2355, would encourage states to develop systems that require pharmacists to check IDs when dispensing opioids in order to reduce “prescription shopping” for opioids which are then sold illegally.

The congressman said the legislation was inspired by a meeting he had several years ago with the Normal Police Department in Illinois, where it became clear that it’s necessary for law enforcement to monitor “pharmacy shopping” and track bad actors who abuse opioid prescriptions. In Illinois, pharmacies are required to record information about opioid prescription recipients into the Illinois Prescription Management Program, but not the person picking up the prescription, according to Rep. Davis’ office. Drug dealers abuse the system by trying to find pharmacies to fill opioid prescriptions prescribed to someone else.

“It’s common sense that individuals should be required to show ID to pick up opioid prescriptions, which are highly addictive and a contributing factor to the opioid epidemic,” Rep. Davis said. “We need to do more to combat this terrible opioid crisis, and H.R. 2355 will help do just that, saving lives in the process.”

Under the legislation, states would be encouraged to better utilize Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs to track patterns of opioid abuse. The bill also would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with agencies to offer guidance to pharmacists on ID checks and responsible opioid dispensing. States would be permitted to decide how they want to implement the ID checks.

The measure was cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and will be considered by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.