Frank Pallone: “I wish to voice my support for H.R. 4976, which would complement the efforts taken by the Food and Drug Administration…”

“I wish to voice my support for H.R. 4976, which would complement the efforts taken by the Food and Drug Administration to combat the opioid abuse crisis. The opioid epidemic has hit nearly all communities across the country--young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural. The Energy and Commerce Committee has held a number of hearings on this issue, inviting a wide range of stakeholders to come and share with us their suggestions on how Congress can help to address this crisis. What has been made clear is that there is not one solution. It will take the collaboration and expertise of a variety of agencies, and it must not only appropriately account for the need for access to opioids for those with acute and chronic pain, but it must also discourage misuse and diversion. As the public health agency responsible for reviewing pain medications for safety and efficacy, the Food and Drug Administration should play a critical role in making clear how prescription opioids can be safely used, in encouraging the development of technologies to prevent abuse, and identifying what education would assist prescribers who treat patients with opioids. In February, FDA outlined an action plan that included a number of steps focused on the agency's regulatory approach to opioids.…”