NCPA Commends Senate Passage of Anti-Drug Abuse Bill

PRESS RELEASEAlexandria, Va. - National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, issued the following statement today in response to Senate passage of S. 483, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act.

"This bipartisan legislation can help strike the important balance of aggressively combatting the prescription drug abuse epidemic while also preserving medication access for patients with debilitating, chronic pain. Independent community pharmacists are on the front lines of both situations, preventing inappropriate use as well as helping patients in need with their medication therapy.

"NCPA will continue to work constructively with policymakers, law enforcement and industry stakeholders to identify solutions that address both reducing drug abuse and preserving legitimate access needs. For example, NCPA supports expanded access to naloxone; enhanced prescription drug monitoring programs; increased prescriber education; and more appropriate use of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS).

"We commend Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and their colleagues on this legislation. We also appreciate the efforts of Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) and his colleagues on their House companion legislation, H.R. 471. We encourage Congress to come together and send this bipartisan legislation to the White House for enactment into law."