According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, almost 14% of total drug overdose deaths involved prescription opioids. In 2023, approximately 8.6 million Americans 12 years of age and older reported misusing prescription opioids within the past year. The actions of opioid manufacturers and distributors have played a key role in the over-prescription, misuse, and abuse of dangerous opioids that has resulted in the current opioid crisis. Families, communities, and Pennsylvania as a whole have paid a significant price during the opioid crisis, both in dollars and in the tragic loss of life. In 2022, several settlements were conducted with a number of manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro. However, it is imperative that more be done to hold the pharmaceutical industry responsible.

For this reason, I will be introducing legislation to establish an opioid product registration fee and an additional assessment on large-scale opioid manufacturers. The proceeds would be directed to the Opioid Reparation and Accountability Fund, which would address the opioid epidemic through programs focused on prevention and education as well as intervention, treatment, and recovery. This legislation would not only hold these companies accountable, but it would also make them a part of the solution.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to reduce opioid addiction and save lives.