Hearing Description:
The Health subcommittee met to examine how the government can better address the prescription drug abuse epidemic the country is currently facing. Widespread prescription drug abuse is a serious problem and the committee is looking forward to holding multiple hearings and coming up with a bipartisan solution to help curb the “bad actors” of prescription drug abuse.
Hearing Date: June 14, 2013
Hearing Summary: Prepared for AAPS by the Market Institute
The Health Subcommittee met to discuss the prescription drug abuse crisis currently facing the nation. The subcommittee will hold a series of hearings to examine this topic. Chairman Joe Pitts (R-Penn.) said in his opening statement that in 2010 over 7 million people were nonmedical users of prescription drugs, with over 1 million needing emergency room visits for abuse. Current government safeguards include NASPER (National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act) which provides grants to improve state systems that monitor and share information about users and doctors who overprescribe. Pitts commended the NASPER legislation, but also commented that the program has not been funded since FY2010 and the committee needs to look at how to better address this crisis. Finally, it should be remembered that that the vast majority of prescription drug users are using them legally and any legislation should not put the approrpiate use of prescription drugs in peril.
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) said in his opening statement the government should first target the “bad actors” in the industry. Drug mills and illegal pharmacies are common and need to be addressed. He also suggested the United States align with Canada so that the two countries can better combat prescription drug abuse.
The first witness, R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy testified in his opening statement that in his position as the lead policy advisor on prescription drugs to the administration, he is able to raise public awareness on the dangers of prescription drug abuse. His office created the National Drug Control Strategy, the administration’s blueprint on combating drug abuse. He stated the plan in place to fight drug abuse seems to be working with drug abuse decreasing steadily since 2010. The NDCP is committed to reducing the prevalence of substance abuse through prevention, increasing access to treatment, and helping individuals recover from the disease of addiction.
The second witness, Dr. Doug Throckmorton, Deputy Director of Regulatory Programs at the FDA, testified in his opening statement that combating drug abuse is a priority for the FDA. They are continuing to develop and test new opioids that deter abuse. Additionally, the FDA has reformulated the drugs Oxycontin and Opana ER in order to help curb abuse. The agency has also continued to reach out to all prescribers of opioids to remind them of regulations regarding FDA-approved product labeling. There is a great challenge in balancing the needs of patients with pain management and allowing appropriate access versus the people who seek out drugs to abuse them.
The third witness, Dr. Wesley Clark, Director of Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration testified in his opening statement that a coordinated effort among many agencies and levels of government is the only way to combat prescription drug abuse. State monitoring programs are an important component of the overall effort to fight drug abuse. Forty-six states currently operate PDMP’s, while three other states have passed legislation establishing monitoring programs.
In response to questioning, R. Gil Kerlikowske said:
- Nothing is more challenging than the prescription drug problem; coordinated planning between regulatory agencies and law enforcement agencies is crucial
In response to questioning, Dr. Doug Throckmorton said:
- The issue of innovating packaging and labeling is just starting to be looked at. There needs to be more creative ways to utilize packaging/labeling
- There is a minority of physicians writing the majority of inappropriate prescriptions
In response to questioning, Wesley Clark said:
- There has been a shifting focus to see how Electronic Health Records can align with state PDMP’s to prevent prescription drug abuse
- The Affordable Care Act will allow a broader reach of using structures to identify individuals with addictions
Hearing Webpage: http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/examining-federal-governments-response-prescription-drug-abuse-crisis
Links to Testimony:
- Mr. R. Gil Kerlikowske; Director; Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
- Dr. Doug Throckmorton; Deputy Director; Regulatory Programs; Center for Drugs Evaluation and Research; Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Dr. H. Westley Clark; Director; Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
