Latta introduces two anti-opioid bills

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) last week introduced two new bills that are designed to tackle the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis.

“We’re going to have to attack this crisis from all sides. That’s why I’m introducing two more pieces of legislation to ensure that opioids are not falling into the wrong hands,” Rep. Latta said. “Our work on this urgent issue continues.”

Rep. Latta introduced the Debarment Enforcement of Bad Actor Registrants (DEBAR) Act, H.R. 4806, to ensure that bad actors cannot legally register to manufacture, distribute or dispense a controlled substance, according to a bill summary provided by his office.

Currently, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registrants who have had their registration revoked still may reapply for a new license, with some being able to obtain one immediately after the revocation of one, according to a recent DEA Inspector General report.

If enacted, H.R. 4806 would grant the DEA debarment authority to prohibit bad actors from registering for a controlled substance.

Rep. Latta also is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Opioid Prescription Verification Act, H.R. 4810, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and fellow cosponsors U.S. Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-IN), John Shimkus (R-IL), and Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ).

H.R. 4810 would facilitate responsible, informed dispensing of controlled substances and other prescribed medications, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Both measures have been referred for committee consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives.