Posted: | April 12, 2017 03:19 PM |
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From: | Senator Gene Yaw |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Abuse Deterrent Opioid Legislation |
In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation calling for easier access to abuse-deterrent opioids (ADO’s) through insurance plans. The bill would require insurance companies to provide access to ADO’s that promote the utilization of abuse-deterrent properties which prevent the cutting, dissolving, crushing and/or melting of pills to inject into needles. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been encouraging the development of opioid formulations with abuse-deterrent properties to help combat the opioid epidemic plaguing the nation. The agency recognizes that opioids with abuse-deterrent properties are not abuse-proof, but are a step toward products that will help reduce abuse. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a bipartisan, bicameral legislative research agency of the General Assembly, has held 12 public hearings on the heroin and opioid epidemic plaguing the Commonwealth. During the hearings, testimony offered indicated that approximately 80 percent of heroin addicts can trace their addiction back to the abuse and misuse of prescription opioids. I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this important legislation that can aid in the fight of this statewide health crisis. |