Chain Drug Review, April 29, 2019

State of the Industry The Issues Policy Bipartisan legislation looks to limit opioid prescriptions WASHINGTON Sens Cory Gardner R Colo and Kirsten Gillibrand D N Y have cosponsored legislation aimed at curbing the irresponsible prescribing of opioids by limiting the supply of initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain to seven days The sponsors said the legislation S 724 dubbed the John S McCain Opioid Addiction Prevention Act is modeled after laws in several states They also said the seven day prescription limit would not apply to the treatment of chronic pain pain being treated as part of cancer care hospice care or other end of life care or pain treated as part of palliative care In a statement Gardner and Gillibrand said the legislation would minimize the risk of abuse thereby alleviating pressure on communities coping with the consequences of an opioid epidemic Too many families throughout New York and our country have suffered from the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic Gillibrand said No community has been left untouched and we need to be proactive when it comes to ending this crisis One of the root causes of opioid abuse is the overprescription of these powerful and addictive drugs Added Gardner As Ive met with Coloradans impacted by the opioid epidemic the recurring story is clear Oftentimes the first overprescription spurs the devastating path of addiction Overprescriptions for pain management have allowed the opioid crisis to hit every corner of our communities and this commonsense legislation establishes the appropriate protections to help prevent addiction in the first place The introduction of the bill was lauded by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores The seven day limit for initial acute pain opioid prescriptions is consistent with pharmacists recommendations from the front lines of care their collaboration with law enforcement and the needs of chronic pain sufferers commented NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson He cited a Morning Consult poll in January commissioned by NACDS that suggests six in 10 Americans support the approach Gillibrand and Gardner are taking with just two in 10 opposed This bill will help prevent addiction and help prevent unused medications from falling into the wrong hands Anderson said Our support reflects pharmacies long standing commitment to serve as part of the solution NACDS noted that opinion surveys reflect support across political ideologies for this strategic approach with support particularly strong among seniors Further seven in 10 voters favor advancing policies that leverage pharmacies role as working partners for stronger and safer communities such as working to address the opioid abuse epidemic NACDS said The association noted that the Senate bill is consistent with its own public policy recommendations for addressing the opioid abuse epidemic NACDS policy priorities include initial prescription limits for acute pain prescription drug monitoring plans PDMPs drug disposal and mandatory electronic prescribing NACDS said S 724 would build on the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act H R 6 enacted in 2018 which is consistent with the associations recommendations and was helpful in requiring electronic prescribing for Schedule II through Schedule V controlled substances prescriptions covered under Medicare Part D to help prevent fraud abuse and waste with limited exceptions to ensure patient access Furthermore the legislation which was introduced on March 7 is consistent with the White Houses 2019 National Drug Control Strategy which NACDS welcomed the association said Chain Drug Review April 29 2019 73