The FED UP! Coalition also asks that you contact your Congressional representatives to repeal the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act since, as we wrote in a letter to the appropriate Congressional Chairmen, “the law constrains the D.E.A.’s ability to enforce the Controlled Substances Act and allows perpetrators of illegal opioid distribution to act with impunity.”
The Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act dramatically increased the standard of proof required for the D.E.A. to suspend a D.E.A. registration. The law was passed because it was falsely promoted as a way to ensure patient access to narcotics and improve cooperation between the D.E.A. and industry. In reality, the law constrains the D.E.A.’s ability to enforce the Controlled Substances Act and allows perpetrators of illegal opioid distribution to act with impunity.
On Sunday, Oct 15, 2017, the Washington Post and 60 Minutes jointly brought national attention to this legislation and its impact to the D.E.A.’s ability to protect public health. The news coverage provided multiple examples of opioid distributors willfully neglecting their responsibility to report suspicious prescription opioid orders.
It is time for Congress to act. Until this law is repealed, the D.E.A.’s ability to enforce the Controlled Substances Act will be hampered. Repealing this law will save lives and help bring the nation’s most urgent public health crisis under control. Please contact your Congressman and Senators and urge them to Repeal this bill.