Proposed Law Calls for Commission to Focus on Prescription Drug Abuse Efforts

A bill calling for a 30-member commission to coordinate law enforcement and health agency efforts to combat prescription drug abuse was introduced to the United States Senate. Under the law, the commission would be composed of representatives from Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), as well as representatives of patient advocacy groups, health care experts, and public policy experts. The proposed Combatting Prescription Drug Abuse Act (S 1277) would call on the commission to investigate and report on topics including the use of prescription drug monitoring programs, efforts to fight pill mills and illegal Internet drug sellers, and the facilitation of proper disposal of unneeded prescription drugs. The bill was introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.