Congress Advances Reconciled Opioid Crisis Package

House and Senate conferees reached agreement on a final version of an expansive legislative package to address the opioid crisis.

The Senate passed its version of the package, the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (S. 2680), in a 99 to one vote on Sept. 17. The House passed its version, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6), by 396 to 14 in June.

The compromise measure includes a provision from the Senate bill requiring prescription opioids to be packaged in three- or seven-day blister packs to deter misuse — and also calls on the FDA to issue guidance on developing non-addictive pain treatments.