May 14, 2019

Manchin Introduces Two Bills To Fight The Opioid Epidemic

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the Opioid Quota Openness, Transparency, and Awareness (QuOTA) Act and the Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act. The QuOTA Act will address the opioid crisis through increasing transparency of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) production quotas for manufacturers so that the general public will have more information about these dangerous prescriptions. The Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act will change the DEA regulations around physician licenses to prescribe opioids so that physicians are required to receive training before receiving or renewing their DEA license. 

“I’ve introduced two bills that will give those on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic the upper hand in preventing prescription opioids from getting into the wrong hands. The DEA and prescribers are our first line of defense in this epidemic and these bills will strengthen opioid production quota regulations and the education of physicians so they know how to safely prescribe opioids to people who truly need them,” said Senator Manchin. “By making these changes, we can combat the opioid epidemic and continue to heal our communities and citizens who have been affected by the epidemic. Fighting the opioid epidemic has been my top priority and I will continue to push for legislation that helps West Virginians and our country fight and recover from this terrible crisis.”

The QuOTA Act is also cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL). To view the full bill text click here.   

The Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act is also cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Mike Braun (R-IN). To view the full bill text click here.   

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