Premier submitted comments cautioning the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to carefully consider how a reduction in manufacturing quotas for certain opioids could exacerbate recent drug shortages for injectable opioids and have a negative effect on patients with a legitimate and serious need for these medications. In September, the DEA issued proposed aggregate production quotas for 2023 for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances. The proposal seeks to lower the annual production quotas of several critical medications used in acute settings such as fentanyl and morphine.
Echoing past comments to the DEA, Premier advocated for a complete overhaul of the quota allocation process, abandoning quotas based on weight in favor of establishing quotas based on dosage form and differentiating between injectables and solid oral dosage forms. Early in the pandemic, Premier worked successfully to get the DEA to temporarily increase controlled substance quotas, essential for certain drugs used to sedate COVID-19 patients for intubation.
Premier will continue to work with the DEA and other stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that balance preventing diversion and abuse of opioids with ensuring adequate supply for clinically appropriate care.
