NACDS Supports Public Policy Proposals to Address Opioid Epidemic
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has formally announced support for four public policy proposals related to the opioid abuse epidemic. In a letter to the White House and members of the Administration and Congress, sent earlier this week, NACDS expressed support for four new recommendations:
- Legislate a 7-day supply limit on initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain
- Legislate a requirement that all prescriptions be issued electronically, with limited exceptions.
- Create a national prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) through collaboration
- Provide manufacturer-funded mail-back envelopes for unused opioid drugs, available to patients at pharmacies upon request.
“The fact that these public policy proposals are gaining traction among those in the healthcare and enforcement communities reflects that much-needed consensus may be starting to build for additional and sound approaches to this epidemic, ” stated NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.