House passes federal opioid bill

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed the Opioid Prescription Verification Act, which would provide incentives for states to create or enhance their drug monitoring programs. 

H.B. 2355, which passed 410-15, would also require pharmacists to verify the identity of patients prescribed opioids.

Data gathered by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute show that most states have in place such programs to limit prescribing.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association on Thursday applauded Congress for moving on the legislation, which it called “critical” in combating the opioid crisis, which it says has “worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Senate is now set to consider the bill.