Support for Mandatory E-prescribing for Opioids
Level of total support (76%) and strong support (45%) for the policy, and its total support level among Republicans (78%), Democrats (77%) and Independents (72%).
It is ideal timing that the Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week – just prior to next week’s NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill. When pharmacy advocates from every state visit each and every Congressional office, we will be able to urge support for the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 3528) and the U.S. Senate (S. 2460) to require that controlled substances for Medicare Part D beneficiaries are prescribed electronically.
We also will be able to make the case that mandatory e-prescribing has strong public support as a strategy to help address the opioid abuse epidemic. In a national survey conducted in January by Morning Consult, and commissioned by NACDS, 76% of respondents supported rules that all prescriptions must be handled electronically, rather than by paper or fax.
“These support levels are very similar for another aspect of NACDS’ public policy recommendations: limiting the initial fill of certain opioid prescriptions to seven days.”
In addition to being supported by three-quarters of voters, the following points are important:
- While a total of 76% support this policy, 45% support it strongly. That demonstrates significant intensity of opinion.
- The levels of support are nearly identical among Republicans and Democrats, among conservatives and liberals, and among those who voted for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for president.
- We also are able to show each individual member of Congress the specific support levels for this policy in his or her state or Congressional District.
Of interest, these support levels are very similar for another aspect of NACDS’ public policy recommendations: limiting the initial fill of certain opioid prescriptions to seven days as a way to reduce the likelihood that a patient becomes addicted and to reduce the number of opioids in the public domain.
It often is said that “people” and “data” are the most essential components of effective advocacy. With record-breaking participation in the 2018 NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill, and with demonstrably strong and bipartisan support for our issue positions, we are well-positioned for a productive Washington, D.C. event next week. We thank you in advance for your in-person engagement, or for your participation in the “virtual” letter-writing aspect of the program.
