NACDS to House committee: Pharmacy can help prevent, curb Rx drug diversion

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted on Thursday an official statement to the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, highlighting pharmacy's commitment in partnering with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to help prevent and combat prescription drug diversion and misuse.

"Chain pharmacies participate in state controlled substance prescription drug monitoring programs. In addition, we are devoted to important initiatives to improve patients' adherence to their prescribed medications," NACDS wrote in its statement, which was submitted for the subcommittee hearing, "Warning: The Growing Danger of Prescription Drug Diversion."

"Chain pharmacies and their pharmacists work with their patients daily to provide them with information and counseling on the proper use of their prescription medications and the importance of adhering to their prescription drug treatment," NACDS added.

The statement also laid out specific recommendations to federal policymakers, including strengthening state-level prescription drug monitoring programs, compensating pharmacy-provided medication therapy management services and shutting down illegal online drug-sellers.

"Further, NACDS and our member companies support policies that work to prevent illegitimate Internet drug sellers from selling or offering to sell drugs to U.S. consumers in violation of federal and state laws. We also support efforts to provide patients with means for disposal of their unwanted medications that are authorized by law enforcement," the statement continued.