Reps. Veasey, Dean, Carter, and McKinley Introduce Legislation to Expand Opioid Treatment Options

Statement

Today, Reps. Marc Veasey (TX-33), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-01), and David McKinley (WV-01) introduced the Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act (H.R. 4712). This legislation closes a loophole that blocks pharmaceutical competition and prevents innovative treatments for opioid use disorder from coming to market.

"America's opioid epidemic does not discriminate--every year this public health crisis impacts millions of families in every crevice of our country," said Rep. Veasey. "This legislation is an important step forward in curbing this epidemic by expanding access to a wide range of new medication-assisted treatments that will create more options in the marketplace."

"Tackling the opioid epidemic means using every tool at our disposal -- including leading-edge medications," said Rep. Dean. "This legislation will create more treatment options for patients and providers, boost competition in the marketplace, and drive down the cost of new medicines."

"We are facing a crisis in our nation and I believe we must make every tool available to combat this epidemic," said Rep. Carter. "This crisis is too serious to allow unintended federal barriers to stand in the way. This legislation is critical to help the millions of Americans in need of new medication-assisted treatments."

"The "orphan drug status' was created to encourage drug companies to research treatments for rare diseases. It was not intended to be abused as a way to prevent competition. We have seen a drastic increase in opioid addiction in the last 20 years, and sadly opioid addiction is not a rare disease," said Rep. McKinley. "With millions of Americans now suffering from opioid addiction, it is important we give people and doctors more options for treatment and reduce cost by introducing competition. Drugs that have been on the market for decades should not be granted this designation just because their method or length of delivery changed. The Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act will help expand access for those suffering from addiction."