Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would take steps to prevent prescription drug abuse and establish a partnership between drug makers, wholesalers, pharmacists and federal agencies to ensure patient access to medications.
Blackburn and Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) introduced the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2014.
“Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic that is killing tens of thousands of Americans each year,” Blackburn said. “The recent death of Philip Seymour Hoffman reminded us of the tragic outcomes that can come from prescription drug abuse. It’s important that the federal government and industry stakeholders work together to ensure that the prescription drug supply chain is safe and secure for the patients that truly rely upon it to alleviate pain and treat illnesses.”
Blackburn said she would work to ensure that law enforcement has tools to respond to prescription drug abuse and diversion while also ensuring that industry stakeholders are shielded from disruptions in the prescription drug supply chain that could endanger patients.
The National Community Pharmacists Association, the Healthcare Distribution Management Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores support the legislation.
“The goal of ensuring that patients and caregivers have access to necessary medications does not have to conflict with effective law enforcement and regulation designed to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic,” Marino said.
The bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.