Macon Reporter

The Opioid Prescription Act, proposed by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and aiming to curb the sale of illegally obtained opioids and reduce the amount of prescription shopping, passed in the House last week on a vote of 410-15. 

The 15 opposing votes were all from Republican representatives.

“Overdose deaths have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it even more critical than ever that law enforcement and  health officials have the tools they need to combat drug abuse, including opioid abuse,” Davis said in a release. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human services reports prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are one of the most promising tools to address prescription opioid abuse. 

“The Opioid Prescription Verification Act, inspired by a meeting I had with the Normal Police Department a few years ago, would better train  pharmacists to verify identities to prevent pharmacy shopping, deter individuals from pharmacy shopping for prescriptions, and encourage the  full use of electronic prescription drug monitoring programs,” Davis added. 

The bill is set to help doctors and pharmacists track the prescriptions a patient has received, ensuring they are not able to be altered or copied and used multiple times in an illicit manner.

“We need to do more to combat this terrible opioid crisis, and H.R. 2355 will help do just that, saving lives in the process,” Davis said. 

According to the release, the bill gives states incentives for facilitating the responsible dispensing of controlled substances.  

It also lays out the reasons a pharmacist may refuse to fill a prescription and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the Center for Disease Control, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration to offer guidance to pharmacists on verifying patient identities and facilitating responsible use of opioid prescriptions.

While 15 votes opposed the act, eight  did not vote, including Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).