Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I would like to request time to speak in favor of the amendment.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in order to speak on the amendment offered by Representatives Barton, Meadows and Kuster.

FDA Commissioner Gottlieb testified before the Energy and Commerce Committee about the work the agency is doing currently to analyze and assess opioid analgesic use in situations of acute pain, such as following surgical procedures. The goal of this analysis is to provide evidence-based recommendations for appropriate opioid doses by indicators ensuring that prescribing more closely aligns with clinical need.

I believe this is a goal that we all support, which is why I support giving FDA the authority to conduct such work so as to inform policies that will better protect public health, and help to reduce the unneeded opioids from reaching individuals that are at risk for addiction.

Since this amendment has been filed, we have heard some concerns from stakeholders about the amendment possibly impeding the use of the FDA's evidence-based guidelines in making decisions related to dispensing or coverage of opioid prescriptions. I believe that such decisions should be informed by evidence-based guidelines such as those developed by the FDA, and I hope that we can work with the amendment's sponsors and the chairman to address these concerns moving forward.

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