The Opioid Review Modernization Act reforms the approval and labeling process for prescription drugs.
FLEMINGTON -- Congressman Leonard Lance (R-7th) met with Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III recently to discuss the opioid and drug abuse epidemic.
Both men have taken steps to address the issue. Kearns had been making presentations at all the county's high schools about the growing heroin epidemic in Hunterdon, and he's due to make the final presentation at Hunterdon Central on May 17 from 7-8:30 p.m.
"We cannot look at the heroin epidemic as just a law enforcement problem; rather we must also consider it and address it as a public health crisis," Kearns has said.
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For his part, Lance spearheaded bipartisan legislation addressing opioids through the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee in Congress. H.R. 4976, the Opioid Review Modernization Act, reforms and improves the approval and labeling process for prescription drugs, a major contributing factor to drug abuse.
Lance's legislation will make sure the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nation's gatekeeper in approving and vetting patient access to safe and effective drugs and therapies, rigorously reviews the benefits and risks of opioid pain medications and how they are communicated to prescribers and patients.
Following their meeting, Kearns gave his support to the bill.
"Prosecutor Kearns is a great partner in helping to end the scourge of drug addiction," Lance said. "Those in Washington and county leaders need to be working together for the benefit of urban and suburban families alike and reduce the strain on law enforcement resources."
Kearns updated Lance on his efforts in Hunterdon, including partnering with Hunterdon Healthcare System to equip all law enforcement officers with nalaxone, a life-saving overdose medication. Kearns also expanded the START initiative ( Steps to Action Recovery and Treatment), which provides direct referral information to people who may be battling addictions or other crises.
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The Prosecutor's Office has worked closely with the Safe Communities Coalition and other prevention and addiction treatment providers. Kearns was also instrumental in launching LEAP, the Law Enforcement Adolescent Program, an early intervention program for adolescents.
"While families, communities and local law enforcement are and should remain on the front lines against addiction, Congress has an important role as well," said Lance. "The federal government should improve and strengthen regulations governing opioid prescriptions.
"My bill ensures that our federal health agencies are working in concert with the medical and pharmaceutical communities to combat drug abuse."
The bill also requires the agency to work closely with expert advisory committees before making critical product approval and labeling decisions and to make recommendations regarding education programs for prescribers of extended-release and long-acting opioids. It would also encourage the development and approval of opioids with abuse-deterrent properties.
Kearns said of Lance's legislation: "Making people aware of their own vulnerabilities to opioid abuse and to the dangers these drugs pose is vital in our efforts to fight against the scourge of addiction. The fight against heroin and opioid abuse must be fought on many fronts. Congressman Lance's leadership on this front is greatly appreciated and needed."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose -- nearly three deaths every hour, every day. Studies show that opioid addiction is tied strongly to prescription drug abuse, and in 2012 healthcare providers wrote 259 million prescriptions to people for opioids, Lance said in a press release. Since 1999, opioid prescriptions have quadrupled and the CDC has found that now more than six out of 10 drug overdoses involve opioids.
Lance is also a cosponsor of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and a member of the Combat Heroin Taskforce.
Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
