AHA, others comment to DEA on controlled substances quotas

The AHA and six other organizations today submitted comments to the Drug Enforcement Administration on its proposed rule regarding controlled substances quotas. “Although we support DEA’s efforts to combat diversion, we are concerned that the proposed rule is focused on diversion to the exclusion of another critical factor — drug shortages,” the AHA and other groups wrote. “To ensure that legitimate medical needs are met, it is imperative that drug shortages be considered as aggregate production quotas are set and adjusted.” The letter also was signed by the Ambulatory Surgical Center Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Federation of American Hospitals, and Institute for Safe Medication Practices. The AHA last week submitted its own letter to DEA urging the agency to explicitly consider drug shortages when setting and adjusting aggregate production quotas, citing concern that the agency's proposal to reduce 2020 production quotas for five opioid controlled substances would exacerbate shortages of injectable opioid medications.