Today, Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA) and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) introduced the first federal legislation to require manufacturers to create tamper-resistant formulations for commonly-abused prescription painkillers. The bill was announced during a press conference in Washington, D.C., which featured remarks by CADCA’s Chairman and CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), another supporter of the bill, also participated in the press conference.
The Stop the Tampering of Prescription Pills (STOPP) Act is key to preventing new users from abusing painkillers and safeguarding against overdoses. The bill would require any brand-name painkiller – whether immediate or extended release – that is currently on the market to use a tamper-resistant formulation, including generic medications.
“Prescription drug abuse has cost our country conservatively $70 billion a year,” said Rep. Keating during the press conference. “This bill creates a clear pathway and establishes a process…to incentivize and mandate tamper-resistant formulations. It would help prevent injury and harm among the most vulnerable populations – particularly adolescents.”
Rep. Keating demonstrated the difference between a regular pill and a tamper-resistant one by attempting to crush both pills with a hammer. The regular pill crushed easily but the tamper-resistant pill stayed intact.
Studies have shown that drug abusers tend to crush or otherwise break down time-released products into a form that can be snorted or injected for a more intense high. The STOPP Act is the first federal legislation that directs pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in research and production to formulate tamper resistant drugs in order to compete with drugs of a similar nature that already employ tamper resistant technologies.
CADCA’s Gen. Dean noted that while the bill is not a “silver bullet” solution, it does create another obstacle that will deter some people from abusing prescription painkillers and is another tool in a comprehensive approach to reduce the prescription drug abuse epidemic.
“While coalitions are working hard to address prescription drug abuse in a holistic manner, their efforts alone will not solve the problem. It’s through a combination of efforts at the national, state and local levels that we can start to make a dent in this epidemic so I applaud Congressman Keating and Congresswoman Bono Mack for important bill,” Gen. Dean said.
Rep. Bono Mack, who is a leading advocate in the area of substance abuse prevention and chairs the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, said the legislation should be part of a comprehensive national strategy. “Prescription drug abuse is not just a public health epidemic – it’s a national tragedy,” she said. “But through the increased use of tamper-resistant medicines, we may see hopelessness replaced by hope. What’s needed now is a comprehensive national strategy for combating prescription drug abuse, especially when it comes to narcotic painkillers. The STOPP Act should be part of that strategy. More than 20,000 Americans a year are dying from prescription drug abuse – over 15,000 from painkillers alone.” Click here to view pictures.
The Stop the Tampering of Prescription Pills (STOPP) Act is key to preventing new users from abusing painkillers and safeguarding against overdoses. The bill would require any brand-name painkiller – whether immediate or extended release – that is currently on the market to use a tamper-resistant formulation, including generic medications.
“Prescription drug abuse has cost our country conservatively $70 billion a year,” said Rep. Keating during the press conference. “This bill creates a clear pathway and establishes a process…to incentivize and mandate tamper-resistant formulations. It would help prevent injury and harm among the most vulnerable populations – particularly adolescents.”
Rep. Keating demonstrated the difference between a regular pill and a tamper-resistant one by attempting to crush both pills with a hammer. The regular pill crushed easily but the tamper-resistant pill stayed intact.
Studies have shown that drug abusers tend to crush or otherwise break down time-released products into a form that can be snorted or injected for a more intense high. The STOPP Act is the first federal legislation that directs pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in research and production to formulate tamper resistant drugs in order to compete with drugs of a similar nature that already employ tamper resistant technologies.
CADCA’s Gen. Dean noted that while the bill is not a “silver bullet” solution, it does create another obstacle that will deter some people from abusing prescription painkillers and is another tool in a comprehensive approach to reduce the prescription drug abuse epidemic.
“While coalitions are working hard to address prescription drug abuse in a holistic manner, their efforts alone will not solve the problem. It’s through a combination of efforts at the national, state and local levels that we can start to make a dent in this epidemic so I applaud Congressman Keating and Congresswoman Bono Mack for important bill,” Gen. Dean said.
Rep. Bono Mack, who is a leading advocate in the area of substance abuse prevention and chairs the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, said the legislation should be part of a comprehensive national strategy. “Prescription drug abuse is not just a public health epidemic – it’s a national tragedy,” she said. “But through the increased use of tamper-resistant medicines, we may see hopelessness replaced by hope. What’s needed now is a comprehensive national strategy for combating prescription drug abuse, especially when it comes to narcotic painkillers. The STOPP Act should be part of that strategy. More than 20,000 Americans a year are dying from prescription drug abuse – over 15,000 from painkillers alone.” Click here to view pictures.
For tools to help you address prescription drug abuse in your community, access CADCA's Rx Abuse Prevention Toolkit: From Awareness to Action, available at www.PreventRxAbuse.org
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