Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Proposed Rule Would Require DEA To Consider How A Drug Is Being Misused Before Setting Production Quotas
The Associated Press: Citing Opioid Crisis, Feds Seek Rule Change For Drugmakers
Drugmakers would be required to identify a legitimate need for controlled substances to justify their production under a proposed rule change intended to rein in the diversion of drugs for illicit purposes, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced Tuesday. According to the DEA, current regulations were issued in 1971 but need to be updated to reflect the nation’s opioid abuse crisis and changes in the manufacture of controlled substances. (Raby, 4/17)
The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Proposes Quota Changes For Drug Enforcement Administration
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the publishing of the proposed rule changes in a speech in North Carolina, saying the action would help address the nation’s opioid problem, which he called “the deadliest drug crisis in American history.” Under the proposal, the Drug Enforcement Administration must consider how much drugs, particularly powerful opioid painkillers, are being misused, abused or causing overdoses when setting production quotas. The DEA will be required to assess information provided by government health agencies such as the Federal Drug Administration, as well as the states. (Wilber, 4/17)
The Hill: DEA Moves To Curb Oversupply Of Opioids
“Under this proposed new rule, if DEA believes that a company’s opioids are being diverted for misuse, then they will reduce the amount of opioids that company can make,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Tuesday during remarks he gave on the opioid crisis in North Carolina. (Roubein, 4/17)
