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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 21, 2018 11:37 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ed Neilson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Limiting Opioid Prescriptions |
| In 2017, Pennsylvania experienced 5,456 drug-related overdose deaths. This equates to 43 deaths per 100,000 residents, nearly twice the national average. While several laws addressing the opioid and heroin epidemic have recently been enacted, providing even more protections for Pennsylvanians is of paramount importance. Research has shown that long-term opioid use often begins with treatment for acute pain. As such, I am reintroducing legislation that would confront the issue of addiction through the initial prescription for an opioid drug. Just as Act 125 of 2016 established safeguards for minors, this measure would limit opioid prescriptions to seven days for adults, with some exceptions, and require prescribers to discuss the risk of opioid addiction and the option of non-pharmacological alternatives with all of their patients, regardless of age. Please join me in further protecting Pennsylvanians against the risk of opioid addiction, and combatting one of the greatest public health crises of our time. Thank you for your consideration. Previous Co-sponsors: READSHAW, SANTORA, TAYLOR, DRISCOLL, PASHINSKI, A. HARRIS, DONATUCCI, W. KELLER and KAUFER |
Introduced as HB1722