Pennsylvania's fight against opioid addiction may include a measure that could pave the way to more expensive prescriptions for supposedly abuse-resistant painkillers whose effectiveness in curbing abuse is unclear.
The sponsor, Rep. Doyle Heffley, of Carbon County, says he believes it'll save lives and Gov. Tom Wolf supports the bill.
Under it, health insurance plans that cover opioid painkillers must cover abuse-deterrent painkillers. Those are patented formulations that cost more than generics.
The Food and Drug Administration encourages the development of abuse-deterrent formulations, but acknowledges they don't prevent a common form of abuse: swallowing pills whole.
Dr. Andrew Kolodny of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing calls them a "waste of money," and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a similar bill, saying the medical community is uncertain about their benefits.
Pennsylvania Opioid Debate May Include Push for Pricier Pill
Copyright AP - Associated Press
