John Rice Carter: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, each year, approximately 4\1/2\ million Americans use prescription pain…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, each year, approximately 4\1/2\ million Americans use prescription pain medications for nonmedical purposes, contributing to 89 deaths per day. Of those who misuse prescription pain relievers, 53 percent reported obtaining them from friends or relatives. Although past legislative efforts have encouraged innovation in prescription drug regulation, law enforcement, and education, there are still individuals who have severe, legitimate chronic pain and need access to opioids. Abuse-deterrent formulations, ADFs, represent a breakthrough technology for these individuals that helps prevent the crushing, the snorting, and the injection of painkillers. Currently, many prescription drug plans present barriers to ADFs, including cost- sharing tiers, fail-first requirements, pricing, and prior authorization requirements, all limiting patient access to abuse- deterrent formulations. This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on barriers to accessing abuse-deterrent formulations for chronic pain patients enrolled in Medicare. Solutions to this public health crisis must balance the need to preserve access to effective pain medications for legitimate patients living with pain while minimizing the risk of opioid misuse and abuse that occurs in our communities.…”