AmerisourceBergen Applauds Signing of Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Opioid Abuse

AmerisourceBergen, a global healthcare solutions leader, released the following comment regarding the signing of Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (“SUPPORT”) for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 28, the U.S. Senate on Oct. 3, and signed into law today by President Trump during a ceremony at the White House. The Act contains increased funding for a variety of treatments for opioid abuse as well as preventive measures, with provisions that will increase data transparency between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and manufacturers and distributors.

“AmerisourceBergen applauds Congress and the White House for the passage and signing of ‘SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act,’ which will strengthen the federal government’s response to the ongoing opioid epidemic through a variety of tactics and new requirements. For drug distributors, chief among these new protocols will be the requirement for DEA to regularly share select ARCOS data with distributors and manufacturers. By disclosing the total number of distributors serving a pharmacy, as well as the total quantity and type of opioids dispensed to each pharmacy, we are moving toward the greater transparency sought by the industry. This transparency will be helpful in allowing all parties to continue to work together to identify and stop bad actors within the pharmaceutical supply chain.”

“We will continue to work with policymakers on ways we can further help curb opioid misuse, and as always, we welcome guidance from regulators to increase data transparency between the DEA and members of the pharmaceutical supply chain, so distributors can better evaluate the context of all controlled substance orders.”

About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen provides pharmaceutical products, value-driving services and business solutions that improve access to care. Tens of thousands of healthcare providers, veterinary practices and livestock producers trust us as their partner in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Global manufacturers depend on us for services that drive commercial success for their products. Through our daily work—and powered by our 21,000 associates—we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #11 on the Fortune 500, with more than $150 billion in annual revenue. The company is headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa. and has a presence in 50+ countries. Learn more at investor.amerisourcebergen.com.

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