Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Chairman of the Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today made the following comment on the federal Department of Health and Human Services’ announcement that it will expand doctors’ access to buprenorphine, a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction. Grassley and four fellow senators urged this step in a letter last year.
“Ideally, people wouldn’t get addicted to opioids in the first place. Steps to cut down on the over-prescribing of prescription opioids and reduce the supply of illicit drugs such as heroin are critical. But for those struggling with addiction, public policy ought to reflect the latest in modern medicine. Buprenorphine has the potential to help people, and allowing doctors to treat more people with it is a good step. My colleagues and I urged HHS to do this in a letter last year.”
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