Senate Health Committee Tackling Bills To Address Opioid Crisis

The Senate Health Committee chairman recently released draft legislation to curb the over-prescription of opioids.

FILE – This Aug. 15, 2017 file photo shows an arrangement of pills of the opioid oxycodone-acetaminophen in New York. American Dental Association on Monday, March 26, 2018, said it is pressing for seven-day prescription limits and mandatory education that encourages using other painkillers. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

Senator Lamar Alexander said the bills are aimed at expanding the FDA’s’ ability to tackle the ongoing crisis.

One of the bills allocates money to upgrade border inspections, and improve infrastructure to better seize illegal drugs.

The other would require drug manufacturers to put opioids in certain packages, allowing doctors to write smaller prescriptions and better dispose of the packaging.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to hold a series of hearings with the goal of sending legislation to the House floor by May.