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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
04/18/2021 08:25 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20190&cosponId=27529
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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: January 8, 2019 02:06 PM
From: Representative Ed Gainey
To: All House members
Subject: Opioid Package – PDMP Requirements and Extended-Release and Long-Acting Opioid Products
 
As the scope of controlled substance abuse in Pennsylvania has widened, the loss of life and livelihood has become almost unimaginable. While families bury their loved ones, an epidemic continues to sweep through our Commonwealth, leaving destruction and uncertainty behind. Without further work to control it, this epidemic will only grow and remain a plague on our beautiful state.

With over 81.1 opioid prescriptions per 100 people written in 2015, Pennsylvania is one of the largest prescribers of opioid drugs in the country. My legislation package would attempt to limit access to controlled substances by amending The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. By reducing the prevalence of prescriptions for extended release long-acting opioid analgesics, we could immediately begin to see a decrease in the misuse and abuse of these types of drugs. Additionally, requiring practitioners to query the prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) before prescribing, administering, or distributing controlled substances would also help limit access by tracking unusual prescribing patterns and keeping detailed notes on why patients have been prescribed a controlled substance.

As legislators, we must make it our duty to continue the fight against unnecessary over-prescription and over-use of controlled substances in Pennsylvania. Please join me in limiting access to these drugs so that we can continue working towards a safer, healthier Commonwealth.

Document #1 (Extended-Release and Long-Acting Opioid Products)
  1. This legislation limits access to opioid drugs by amending The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

Limits the issuance of prescriptions for extended release long-acting opioid analgesics to an adult patient for the first time to no more than a seven day supply, with exceptions.

Document #2 (PDMP Requirements)
  1. This legislation limits access to controlled substances by amending The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

Requires practitioners to query the PDMP before prescribing, administering or dispensing controlled substances to determine if any unusual prescribing pattern exists for the patient and note the reasons for the prescription in the patient’s medical records.