AG Hawley Joins 11-State Push for Deeper Cuts in Opioid Pill Manufacturing
Jefferson City, Mo.– Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley joined an 11-state coalition in calling upon the federal government to implement sweeping reforms to account for the misuse of prescription painkillers and ultimately lead to the manufacturing of fewer opioids in 2019.
Attorney General Hawley believes that although a 10-percent reduction is a step in the right direction, the proposed quotas remain excessive. The DEA has not yet accounted for illicit diversion and relevant input from states and federal agencies. Much more can be accomplished by fully factoring in the results of DEA’s new drug quota rule now.
The coalition contends further reduction in the supply of dangerous, addictive opioids is possible and would be of greater benefit to Missouri, and the nation as a whole.
Fully implementing the reforms will require the DEA to consider relevant information from the Department of Health and Human Resources, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and relevant information obtained from states.
“We must do everything we can to end the opioid epidemic that plagues Missouri and the country,” Hawley said. “Reducing the supply of these deadly and addictive drugs is a commonsense action that can be taken now.”
Attorney General Hawley is leading the fight against opioid manufacturers and distributors. In June 2017, he filed a lawsuit against three major opioid manufacturers alleging these companies fraudulently misrepresented the serious risks posed by the drugs they manufacture and sell. That investigation has been expanded to include seven additional manufacturers. The Attorney General is also investigating opioid distributors and their role in the ongoing opioid crisis in Missouri.
Missouri joined the West Virginia-led filing with attorneys general from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska and Utah.
Read the coalition’s filing here.
Source: Office of the Attorney General of Missouri