WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) released the following statement after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a proposed rule to help reduce the oversupply of opioids, specifically in West Virginia after reports of pill dumping.
“We are encouraged by and look forward to fully reviewing DEA’s proposed rule. The committee’s own bipartisan investigation has shown an overwhelming presence of prescription opioids in some of West Virginia’s smallest communities. It should have never been allowed to happen and we must ensure it can never happen again.
“The data sharing outlined today is also an important step in the fight to combat the opioid crisis, as we have seen through our own use of ARCOS data during our year-long, bipartisan investigation. We look forward to working with DEA as these actions are finalized."
Background:
For nearly a year, the Energy and Commerce committee has engaged in a bipartisan investigation into alleged pill dumping in West Virginia. #SubOversight will hear from the leadership of national and regional drug distributors in regards to its investigation on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced yesterday an agreement between the DEA and 48 attorneys general pertaining to sharing critical prescription drug information that could help investigations into pill dumping or suspicious orders. Mr. Sessions also announced the proposal of a new DEA rule that would allow the agency to reduce the amount of opioids a drug company can produce if authorities suspect the company’s drugs are being diverted.
Also yesterday, DEA led a takedown in West Virginia, putting a stop to a drug trafficking organization that has been active for nearly 15 years in several states.
As part of the committee’s legislative push, #SubHealth has explored ways to bolster our enforcement efforts.
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