Bilirakis Applauds Passage of Ensuring Patient Access & Effective Drug Enforcement Act

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday advanced legislation to protect patient access and efficient drug enforcement. The House advanced S. 483, companion to H.R. 471, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act.

This legislation requires the Drug Enforcement Agency to issue timely guidance to prescription drug wholesalers to ensure a collaborative effort to reduce prescription drug abuse, and protects individuals with valid prescriptions.

Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement upon passage of this bill:

"The prescription drug abuse epidemic is still very prevalent in the Tampa Bay area, and this legislation is a great step in the right direction. As we continue our efforts to address abuse and eliminate it altogether, this bill helps ensure that patients in legitimate pain with legitimate prescriptions have access to their medications. This bill will improve enforcement efforts and help keep our communities safe."

Congressman Bilirakis was an original co-sponsor of H.R. 471, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act. Learn more about his work on this legislation here.