OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

End the Over-Prescription of Pain Killers

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 12, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care Drugs

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Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines that urge primary care physicians to think twice before prescribing opioids for pain relief. I strongly support their call. Last year I asked the Federation of State Medical Boards to encourage stronger guidelines as well.

New research suggests that the over-prescription of opioids may be widespread across the medical community. Pain management is an important part of a physician's practice, but it is critical that prescribers understand when options other than these highly addictive drugs are available.

Mr. Speaker, last year the number of fatal overdoses from prescription painkillers increased by 16 percent and, from heroin, 28 percent. There are 19,000 Americans who lost their lives, and more die every day.

I thank the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for their work on this issue, and I urge the administration, Congress, and the medical community to end the over-prescription of painkillers.

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