Ohio joins bipartisan coalition to push FDA to examine effectiveness of war on Opioids
The states believe efforts to combat opioid addiction have fallen short.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio has joined a broad coalition of 48 states in pushing federal regulators to examine recent progress in their fight against opioid abuse.
The bipartisan coalition, led by West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, specifically seeks a progress report regarding recent steps taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to combat the opioid crisis, given the new authorities Congress granted the agency in 2018.
“While dealing with a worldwide pandemic, we are still fighting an opioid epidemic that continues to wreak havoc,” Yost said. “I am committed to using all the tools available to combat opioid addictions and save lives.”
In their letter to FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, the states contend the requested information will help reduce prescription opioid abuse and accidental deaths.
The coalition’s letter seeks clarification of how FDA is using and plans to use powers granted under the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes the Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Those provisions include safer opioid packaging and disposal features, research and issuance of new regulations on non-addictive alternatives to opioids and guidelines for opioid prescribing.
The states believe the FDA plays a critical role in ensuring both the safety and efficacy of opioids and encouraging non-addictive, non-opioid alternatives for treating pain.
