Biopartisan legislation to address America’s ongoing opioid crisis has been passed by Congress. The final package passed the Senate this week after passing the House on September 28 and now heads to President Trump to be signed into law. Among other provisions, the final package includes the Empowering Pharmacists in the Fist Against Opioid Abuse Act, which would require federal agencies to develop and distribute materials to train pharmacists on the circumstances in which they are allowed by law to decline to fill a prescription for a controlled substance.
These circumstances may include the suspicion of fraud, forgery, or other forms of modification. The package also includes Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act. To prevent fraud and abuse, this provision would require e-prescribing for Schedule II through V controlled substances under Medicare Part D.
