Nick Rahall: “I support the passage of the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act, which reauthorizes vital programs that will ensure…”

“I support the passage of the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act, which reauthorizes vital programs that will ensure the FDA continues to study and approve life-saving drugs and medical devices and work to prevent drug shortages of much needed medications. I am concerned, however, that the Congress is not doing more to fight prescription drug abuse. Members of the House were not permitted to offer amendments to address prescription drug addiction when this measure came before us last month, even though the FDA has a vital role in regulating the addictive qualities of drugs that are manufactured and ensuring sufficient education and awareness for health care providers and the general public. This conference report is a bittersweet pill to swallow. While it includes a provision that will ban the sale of dangerous synthetic drugs, which I support and the House of Representatives passed late last year, the FDA's programs could have been strengthened significantly to address substance abuse and its impact on our Nation's economic and security needs. If one reads any newspaper in southern West Virginia, you will undoubtedly find downright scary stories of families, children and seniors devastated by prescription drug abuse, and the crime that it engenders. As many of my colleagues know, fighting back against this unending wave of abuse will take the action of all--local, state and federal governments.…”