Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Proposed Gutting Of Drug Czar's Funding Rolled Back To Just Trims After Vocal Outcry
Stat: After Outcry, Trump Budget Largely Preserves 'Drug Czar' Funding
After an outcry, the Trump administration has rolled back a proposed gutting of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, instead asking for relatively small trims to the office and largely preserving two main grant programs. President Trump’s 2018 budget — released Tuesday — is just a proposal; Congress actually allocates government spending. (Joseph, 5/23)
Morning Consult: Trump Drops Plan To Gut Drug Czar’s Office Budget
The administration’s final budget proposal, released Tuesday, continues funding for the office, which oversees two key national anti-drug programs. A document leaked earlier this month proposed cutting funding for the program by 95 percent. (Reid, 5/23)
CQ Roll Call: Drug Office Cuts Rolled Back As FDA Examines Opioid Policies
Lawmakers in states where opioid abuse is rampant praised the Office of Management and Budget for not proceeding with the original cuts. “I’m happy to see OMB reversed course and included funding for the office in its budget,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., a member of the Appropriations Committee. "We still have a long way to go when it comes to the drug epidemic, and it is essential that we remain fully committed to fighting it. We need to be doing more — not less.” (Siddons, 5//23)
The Washington Post: FDA Commissioner Gottlieb Calls For ‘More Forceful Steps’ To Curb Opioid Epidemic
Food and Drug Commissioner Scott Gottlieb called on his staff Tuesday to explore “more forceful” efforts to curb the epidemic, including requiring training for doctors and ensuring patients aren't prescribed the medications for unnecessarily long periods that increase the risk of addiction. “Opioid prescriptions should be written only for appropriate patients and for appropriate durations,” Gottlieb said in his first interview since becoming commissioner. “No more 30-day supplies for tooth extractions” or uncomplicated hernia repairs. (McGinley, 5/23)
And in opioid news from the states —
The Associated Press: NY Senate Heroin Task Force To Hear From Experts, Ex-Users
New York lawmakers working to address the heroin and opioid epidemic want to hear from the experts — and people with first-hand experience with addiction. A state Senate Task Force is holding a public hearing Wednesday at the Fulton-Montgomery Community College in Johnstown. (5/24)
Arizona Republic: Attorney General Works With CVS To Make Anti-Overdose Drug Available
CVS drugstores will begin selling Naloxone — an opioid-overdose reversal drug — without a prescription in Arizona, the company said Tuesday. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said he has been working with pharmacies to combat opiod addiction in Arizona. (Gundran, 5/23)
Health News Florida: Report: Fentanyl Now Florida’s Deadliest Drug
A new report from Florida medical examiners finds fentanyl caused more deaths than any other drug in Florida last year. With fentanyl coming into the U.S. illegally in pill and powder form, it’s now being cut with heroin. (Aboraya, 5/23)
WABE: What Is 'Gray Death,' And How Does It Kill?
Amid Georgia’s opioid problem, a new drug has entered the market. “Gray death,” a cocktail of several opioids, was reported to have claimed its first death in Georgia last week. Despite efforts to curtail the spread of opioids in the Southeast, drugs are getting even stronger and more deadly, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation public affairs director Nelly Miles. (Such, 5/23)
