In a legislative effort to address the nation’s opioid crisis, U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) has offered a bipartisan bill that would tweak existing laws to allow doctors rather than pharmacists to administer new medication-assisted treatments for substance use disorders.
“By ensuring safe and responsible delivery of new therapies, we are taking a forward-looking step in the fight against the opioid epidemic, while simultaneously making sure patients receive the treatment they need,” said Rep. Costello, who on March 7 introduced the Ensuring Patient Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatments Act, H.R. 5202. U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN) signed on as the original cosponsor of the bill.
If enacted, H.R. 5202 would amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to direct pharmacists to dispense new medication-assisted treatment options – such as long-acting injectable therapies now on the market – to doctors for treating patients who are recovering from a substance use disorder. Doctors would administer such treatments to their patients in their offices as part of a larger treatment plan that might also incorporate behavioral therapy and counseling, according to a summary provided by Costello’s office. Under H.R. 5202, doctors also would be required to return unused medications within 14 days of dispensing them.
Currently, the CSA allows only pharmacists to dispense such treatments directly to patients. By changing the law to let doctors do so, coupled with the requirement that doctors return unused medications, then drug diversion would be decreased, according to Costello’s staff. At the same time, patient adherence to new drugs could be increased as doctors would be able to monitor each patient’s proper medication dosage. Additionally, the law would be more aligned with medical advancements, his staff said.
“Our legislation will help ensure that new treatments to the opioid crisis — such as injectable medication-assisted treatments — comply with the law so they can be administered properly to the patients who will need them,” Rep. Nolan said. “Here in Congress, I will continue fighting for bipartisan initiatives designed to defeat the opioid crisis and save the lives of thousands of Americans.”
“I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation as part of my efforts to keep our communities safe and healthy,” added Rep. Costello.
H.R. 5202 has been referred to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.