McKinley Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Halt Flow of Opioids and Crack Down on Pill Mills

Press Release

U.S. Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E., (R-W.Va.) and Kathy Castor (D-Tampa-FL14) introduced the Preventing Pill Mills Through Data Sharing Act (H.R. 8732), to require drug wholesalers that ship opioids to take greater responsibility for reporting suspicious quantities to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

"While Congress has been rightly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid epidemic has not gone away. In fact, across the country overdose deaths have only increased," said McKinley. "West Virginia is all too familiar with the opioid epidemic. In the past, millions of prescription pills flooded into our communities and ripped families apart by the horrors of addiction. Our bipartisan bill ensures that the Drug Enforcement Agency will be able to collect and share data necessary to identify and prevent companies from dumping mass amounts of pills into vulnerable communities, which will help keep American families safe."

"Far too many families in Florida and across the country continue to struggle with opioid addiction, and the COVID-19 pandemic only has exacerbated this ongoing public health crisis," said Castor. "I'm proud to introduce this legislation with Rep. McKinley to equip the DEA with necessary tools to require drug distributors, manufacturers and pharmacies accountable identify, report and halt suspicious orders of controlled substances. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will take the necessary steps to increase transparency and hold all companies and pharmacies on the supply chain accountable. Most importantly, it will go a long way in keeping our communities informed and ensure our neighbors are safe."

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