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Bipartisan Consensus Emerges To Let FDA Destroy Unlabeled Illicit Opioids

 
• By Joanne S. Eglovitch

Congress is intent on passing legislation addressing the opioid crisis and one measure that is picking up steam would give FDA the authority to destroy illegal opioids at international mail facilities instead of sending them back.  

Gottlieb and Rep. Michael Burgess R-Texas, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee, as they toured the international mail facility at New York City’s JFK Airport on March 5.
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and Health Subcommittee Chair Michael Burgess tour international mail facility • Source: FDA

 As House members rush to act on the nation's multifaceted opioid crisis before they face voters in November, bipartisan agreement has emerged on the authority FDA has been seeking to destroy illicit opioids arriving at international mail facilities based on their chemical composition.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health met on March 21 to consider a slew of proposed bills and discussion drafts, 25 in all, addressing the opioid crisis

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