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Welch-Authored Prescription Drug Diversion Legislation Heads to Obama for Signature

Press Release

Date: April 13, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care Business, Consumers, and Employees

Bipartisan legislation authored by Rep. Peter Welch (VT-AL) to combat the diversion of prescription drugs from the supply chain passed the House Tuesday evening and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama. The Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016 (H.R. 471, S. 483) will be the first significant bill addressing prescription drug diversion to become law in this Congress.

The Welch initiative will help prevent the diversion of prescription drugs from the supply chain for illicit purposes by increasing collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), prescription drug distributors, and pharmacies. By clarifying DEA guidance to distributors, the agency will be able to free up resources to focus on bad actors in the supply chain.

"Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic that has claimed too many lives and taken a heavy toll on communities in Vermont and across the country," Rep. Peter Welch said. "This commonsense reform will help keep addictive prescription drugs out of the wrong hands, while ensuring that patients have timely access to the medications they need."


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