This ad, appearing in Texas public policy newsletters, links to a microsite that provides information about HB 2174.
A Medium opinion piece by Ken Breda, director of pharmacy, Brookshire Brothers, and president, Texas Federation of Drug Stores, is helping to make the case for HB 2174 in the Texas Legislature. The bill includes opioid-abuse and addiction solutions, while remaining sensitive to chronic pain treatment.
The legislation would limit the supply of a patient’s first opioid prescription to 10 days, when that prescription is for temporary, or acute, pain. This limit does not apply to ongoing, or chronic, pain. It does not apply to cancer care, to treatment of other illnesses, nor to end-of-life care.
The bill also would require electronic prescribing for controlled substances, to help prevent fraud and opioid-abuse.
Breda’s opinion piece – published on Medium – states:
Every day, pharmacists serve patients suffering tragically with chronic pain. They also see first-hand the ravages of addiction, including dependence on legitimate opioids and on similar drugs that are made and sold illegally.
With experience on the front lines of healthcare delivery, pharmacists also know viable public policy solutions when they present themselves. We see a tremendous opportunity right now in the Texas Legislature to help solve the opioid abuse epidemic, while remaining sensitive to those suffering with chronic pain.
Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, and Rep. John Zerwas, M.D., deserve credit for crafting a bill (HB 2174) that would prove effective in addressing abuse and addiction related to legitimate opioids…
Regarding HB 2174, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton characterized the bill as a “crucial tool in the fight against opioid abuse, which would significantly reduce initial opioid addiction and also prevent most fraudulent prescriptions of opioids.” Attorney General Paxton has been a national leader in the fight against opioid abuse, and said HB 2174 “will have an immediate positive impact on families through reduced opioid abuse in Texas.”
The legislation is consistent with NACDS’ policy recommendations for opioid-abuse prevention.
