HDMA responds to U.S. Attorney General Holder's address on Rx drug abuse

ARLINGTON, Va. — In a statement, HDMA president and CEO John Gray said the national association representing primary healthcare distributors applauds U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s weekly address concerning the nation’s prescription drug abuse epidemic.



“HDMA applauds United States Attorney General Eric Holder for addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic our country faces. AG Holder’s call for a multi-faceted approach to combat this public health challenge is the right one. The recent rise in heroin use — as well as emerging concerns about the inability of patients to access their legitimately prescribed medications — reaffirms the need to create a comprehensive and collaborative strategy that provides equal weight to enforcement, public health and treatment efforts, ” Gray stated.

 

“Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, pharmaceutical distributors, along with their supply chain partners, are committed to a more coordinated and transparent approach to address the prescription drug abuse problem. The complexity of this public health challenge will require the entire healthcare supply chain to work together in close partnership with state and federal entities to effectively stem the tide of prescription drug abuse and minimize the potential for unintended consequences,” Gray stated.

 

He added that, “HDMA looks forward to working with all stakeholders to develop and implement solutions that begin to bring the prescription drug abuse epidemic under control, ensure patient safety and allow for continued access to medicines for legitimate patients.”