States all over the country have been concentrating on curbing the growing prescription drug abuse problem and now it looks like they will get help on a national level. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would bring prescription drug manufacturers and those regulating the drugs together. This will allow them to better govern the prescription drugs that are hitting the market and also monitor their usage.

The bill, which is called The Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act, was co-sponsored by Representatives Tom Marino (R-PA) , Peter Welch (D-VT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Judy Chu (D-CA). The goal was to create a better relationship between the companies that produce pharmaceuticals such as potentially deadly painkillers and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). By cultivating a better relationship, policymakers believe that regulating prescription drug abuse will be easier.

Representative Marino spoke to a pharmacist and realized that while regulating prescription painkillers is necessary, some regulations were making it hard for those that really need the medication to obtain the pills. The new legislation will look to streamline and iron out any kinks in the way that prescription drug manufacturers disperse the drugs and the way that the DEA enforces laws regulating how people obtain the drugs. The intention is that those that need the medication will be able to receive it and those that are abusing will be stopped from obtaining their drugs.

Prior to passing the new legislation, it was unclear how drug manufacturers could deliver the powerful narcotics. The new legislation clearly states what needs to be done in order to be in compliance with Federal guidelines, eliminating any possibility of interpretation. The law also requires the DEA and drug manufacturers to work together and communicate more on the growing prescription drug abuse problem in the country.

The Representatives who sponsored the new legislation are pleased that the ongoing problem regarding prescription drugs is one step closer to having a solution.