January 11, 2021
Carson City, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford
joined a broad coalition of 48 attorneys generals urging federal regulators to examine
recent progress in their fight against opioid abuse. The coalition specifically
seeks a progress report regarding recent steps taken by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to combat the opioid crisis, given the new
authorities Congress granted the agency in 2018.
In their letter to FDA
Commissioner Stephen Hahn, the attorneys general explain how the requested
information will help reduce prescription opioid abuse and accidental deaths.
“We have
all witnessed the devastation that the opioid epidemic has wrought on states in
terms of lives lost and the costs it has imposed on our healthcare system and
the broader economy,” said AG Ford. “As the chief legal officers of our states,
we are committed to combating this epidemic and protecting patients suffering
from chronic pain or addiction, who are among the most vulnerable consumers in
our society. I would like every Nevadan to know that my office is using every
tool at its disposal to hold those responsible for the opioid crisis accountable,
and we remain in ongoing litigation.”
The coalition’s letter
seeks clarification of how the FDA is using and plans to use powers granted
under the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and
Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Those provisions
include safer opioid packaging and disposal features, research and issuance of
new regulations on non-addictive alternatives to opioids and guidelines for
opioid prescribing.
The attorneys general
believe the FDA plays a critical role in ensuring both the safety and efficacy
of opioids and encouraging non-addictive, non-opioid alternatives for treating
pain.
In addition to
Nevada, the coalition includes: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West
Virginia and Wisconsin.
The coalition’s letter is attached.
###