Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill would temporarily remove buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, from the Drug Enforcement Administration's Suspicious Orders Report System for the duration of the federal opioid public health emergency. The legislation targets a problem where pharmacies are reluctant to stock sufficient buprenorphine because the reporting requirements make it difficult for them to order and maintain adequate supplies. The temporary exemption would remain in place until 270 days after the current opioid emergency declaration expires, giving the government time to assess whether this change improves patient access to treatment. Within 90 days after the emergency expires, the Justice Department and Health and Human Services must report to Congress on whether the exemption increased access to buprenorphine and recommend whether the exemption should become permanent. The bill seeks to collect data that will inform future policy on how to balance monitoring controlled substances with ensuring patients can actually obtain this proven addiction treatment.
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