U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) has introduced the bipartisan Advancing Cutting-Edge (ACE) Research Act, H.R. 5002, to make headway on creating non-addictive pain medications that could help Americans stay free of opioid addiction’s grip.
“Opioid abuse and addiction is tearing through families and communities here in Michigan and across the entire country,” said Rep. Upton, who on Feb. 13 unveiled H.R. 5002 with Michigan colleague U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat.
The Senate version of the legislation, S. 2406, was introduced on Feb. 8 in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) signed on as an original cosponsor.
Roughly 25 million people across the nation endure daily pain and urgently need non-addictive treatments, according to Upton’s office. Deaths attributable to overdoses from prescription opioids continue to increase nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has reported more than 200,000 such deaths in the United States from 1999 to 2016.
“We’ve taken concrete steps to address this heartbreaking epidemic with solutions such as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act but clearly more work remains,” said Upton, referring to measures enacted in 2016.
Among other provisions, H.R. 5002 would grant the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) the authority to fast track research on non-addictive pain drugs and other new technologies that provide alternative pain relief and to work with private firms on developing the drugs and treatments, according to a summary provided by Upton’s office.
“It is critical that we come together — Democrats and Republicans — to stem this public health crisis while ensuring that those with very real medical needs continue to have access to necessary medication,” Rep. Dingell said. “By developing new non-addictive painkillers and pursuing other scientific advances, we can help prevent addiction from taking hold of families in the first place, combat this epidemic and save lives.”
“Opioid abuse and addiction doesn’t cherry-pick Republicans or Democrats. It touches us all,” agreed Upton. “It’s going to take a full-team effort, and working across party lines, to finally solve this.”
H.R. 5002 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for its consideration. S. 2406 has been referred to the Senate HELP Committee.