Abuse Deterrent Opioids
This week I introduced legislation to remove barriers to abuse deterrent opioids.

Abuse deterrent formulations (ADFs) represent a breakthrough technology that helps prevent the crushing, snorting, and injection of painkillers. 

Currently, many prescription drug plans present access barriers for chronic pain patients to ADFs including cost-sharing tiers, fail-first requirements, and prior authorization requirements. Instead of receiving ADFs, often patients are limited to using traditional opioids that can be easily diverted, crushed, snorted, and injected.

My legislation, the Abuse Deterrent Access Act of 2018, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on barriers to accessing abuse deterrent opioid formulations for chronic pain patients enrolled in Medicare.

Each year, approximately 4.5 million Americans use prescription pain medications for non-medical purposes contributing to 89 prescription drug overdose deaths per day. Of those that misused prescription pain relievers, 53% reported obtaining them from friends or relatives. 

As the only pharmacist in Congress, I believe we must find solutions to combat this crisis that prevent opioid diversion while maintaining legitimate patient access for those who truly need it. ADFs ensure those who legitimately need pain medication are able to access it while helping to prevent misuse.

Just days after this bill was introduced, it was approved by the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee along with two other bills I introduced to help combat the opioid crisis. Next, it will be considered by the full Energy and Commerce Committee. I will continue working to end this epidemic plaguing our nation. 

From our Nation's Capitol CLX
Monday, April 23, 2018:  This week is Georgia Cities Week.  Sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association, this is a week that gives cities an opportunity to share information about the valuable services they provide to residents and how they positively impact their citizens’ quality of life.  I’m in Richmond Hill this morning for a kick-off breakfast where we hear from State Representative Ron Stephens who gives us a review of the recently completed Georgia legislative session.  Next, I stay in Richmond Hill and meet with law enforcement from across the district as I host an opioid abuse roundtable. 

Rep. Carter at a Walgreens National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event
The purpose of the roundtable is to bring the officers up to date on what we’re doing in Washington to combat this epidemic that is killing 115 Americans every day and, more importantly, to hear from them where they feel we should be concentrating our efforts.   Afterwards, I head to the Walgreens in Richmond Hill where I have a press conference with Walgreens officials to promote National Prescription Drug Take Back Day that will be held Saturday, April 28.  Next, I head to my Savannah district office where I have a phone interview with Politico to discuss the 340B program and what we are doing in the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee to address concerns in the program.  Afterwards, I have a series of meetings starting with representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia, including my good friend Donna Camacho, followed by a meeting with another good friend, Bill Brundage, to discuss research programs in the Savannah area.  Finally, I have another meeting with another good friend, Bert Adams, to discuss national issues.  Afterwards, I head to downtown Savannah where I am treated to a tour of Webb Military Museum, a private collection of military artifacts owned by Gary Webb that is nothing short of amazing. 

Rep. Carter at Webb Military Museum
Although I have seen parts of his collection before, this is my first opportunity to tour the museum and I am truly taken aback at the quality of artifacts that Gary has accumulated over the years.  Next, I head to Pooler to the recently opened Emerald Neuro-Recovery Center, an outpatient addiction treatment facility specializing in an all-natural intravenous infusion known as NeuroRecover.  This innovative therapy treats all types of addictions, including opioid, heroin and alcohol addictions.  Finally, I head out to Tybee Island to attend the monthly meeting of the Tybee Island Republican Club where we hear from State Senator Ben Watson and State Representative Jesse Petrea, who recap the recently completed legislative session.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018:  After an early morning radio interview with Bill Edwards and Laura Anderson to talk about the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, I head to Gulfstream in Savannah and join Governor Nathan Deal and other dignitaries in announcing Gulfstream’s latest expansion project that will be a $55 million investment and create hundreds of jobs. 

Rep. Carter at the Gulfstream announcement event
From there I head to the airport for my return trip to Washington.  Once back at the Capitol, I meet with representatives from the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association followed by a meeting with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.  My next two meetings are with the Georgia Optometrists and Catholic Relief Services.  After our weekly staff briefing to discuss the upcoming week, I head to our weekly Messaging Advisory Group meeting followed by our weekly Whip Team meeting.  Our first vote series of the week is next and afterwards I remain in the House Chamber where I pay tribute to one of my pharmacy school professors who recently passed, Joe Bill Dickerson.  A link to my tribute can be found here.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018:  After an E&C member meeting to review the issues being discussed in the different subcommittees,  I head to our weekly GOP conference and afterwards head to the House Chamber where we have a joint session to hear from French President Emmanuel Macron.  During the nearly one hour speech that President Macron delivered in English, he made many references to the storied history that France and the United States share and touched on many issues impacting our world today. 

Rep. Carter receiving the AARP Congressional Award
Afterwards, I have a phone call with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt as he shares with me the good news that our district has been awarded two brownfield grants.  Next, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee mark-up where we consider and pass 57 bills dealing with the opioid epidemic, including three that I am the primary author of.  After our first vote series, I meet with representatives from the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards, followed by a meeting with the Creative Rights Caucus before having a phone interview with CQ Roll Call to discuss the 340B program.  After our second vote series, I meet with Chris Steigelman, golf course superintendent at the Landings in Savannah followed by the Mortgage Bankers Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Later, I meet with the AARP where they present me with their Congressional Award in recognition of my work to help improve the lives of our nation’s seniors.  My final stop of the day is with Patient Services where I am honored to receive their Patient Champion Award.

Thursday, April 26, 2018:  My first meeting this morning is with State Farm Insurance followed by an E&C Environment Subcommittee hearing where we hear from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.  Anticipation of this hearing has been building all week and the media coverage is heavy.  My office has been working closely with EPA officials and Administrator Pruitt for the past seven months to try and resolve a marine engine issue relating to the EPA’s new Tier 4 emission standards.  A link to my questions can be found here

Rep. Carter with Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Afterwards, I meet with the National Confectioners Association before heading to a meeting with my good friends from the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce who are visiting the Capitol this week.  Next, I head back to my office where I meet with Communities in Schools followed by a meeting with the Coastal Plain Coalition and then with the Hemophilia Alliance.  Afterwards, I attend a GOP member huddle with Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) to discuss tariffs and NAFTA negotiations before heading back to my office to meet with executives from AmerisouceBergen.  Later, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day and stay on the floor afterwards to speak on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  A link to my speech can be found here.  My final meeting of the day is in my office with the new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Robert Redfield.

Friday, April 27, 2018:  We have our second GOP member conference of the week this morning as we discuss the Appropriations process for FY 19. 

Rep. Carter meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce in China
Afterwards, I head back to my office where I do a Facebook Live interview with Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge.  Before heading to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day, I meet with the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) to discuss tariffs.  After votes, I head to the Capitol steps where I have pictures taken with two of our interns who will be leaving soon, Jordan Jones and Zach Spencer.  Later, I return to the House Chamber where I give a tribute to a very special person in our office who is retiring today after 34 years of service to the citizens of the First Congressional District of Georgia.  A link to my tribute to Trish DePriest can be found here.  We love you Trish and we thank you for your service.

VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.

 
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