ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is commending the passage of the Opioid Prescription Verification Act of 2021 (H.R. 2355) by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday.

The bill — which was introduced by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R, Ill.) in April 2021 — will help to protect health and safety by curbing prescription drug misuse, abuse and diversion by creating incentives under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s existing opioid grant programs for states to require electronic prescribing of all controlled substances.

“Pharmacies and pharmacists, who are among those professionals working on the front lines of healthcare delivery, remain committed to doing their part to address our nation’s ongoing struggles with opioid abuse,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven Anderson. “We thank Representative Davis for introducing the bill, and for his strong support of legislation that will directly benefit the health and safety of the patients and communities that local pharmacies and pharmacists continue to serve.”

“Overdose deaths have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it even more critical than ever that law enforcement and health officials have the tools they need to combat drug abuse, including opioid abuse,” said Representative Davis. “The Opioid Prescription Verification Act, inspired by a meeting I had with the Normal (Illinois) Police Department a few years ago, would better train pharmacists to verify identities to prevent pharmacy shopping, deter individuals from doctor shopping for prescriptions, and encourage the full use of electronic prescription drug monitoring programs. My bill will ultimately help doctors and pharmacists track the prescriptions a patient has received and ensure they cannot be altered or copied and used multiple times in an illicit manner.”