H.R. 1257: Overcoming Prevalent Inadequacies in Overdose Information Data Sets Act

This bill, titled the Overcoming Prevalent Inadequacies in Overdose Information Data Sets Act or the OPIOIDS Act, aims to improve the collection and reporting of data related to opioid overdoses in the United States.

Grants for Improved Data Collection

The bill allows the Attorney General to award grants to state, territory, and local governments to enhance the accuracy of data on opioid-related overdoses. This includes:

• Improving postmortem toxicology testing
• Linking data across various systems nationwide
• Training law enforcement officers to better address overdoses and related criminal activities
• Facilitating electronic death reporting
• Enhancing the comprehensiveness of data on fatal overdoses

Support for Law Enforcement

The bill permits the Attorney General to provide grants specifically to local law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories in areas with high overdose rates. These grants would fund:

• Training for officers to identify overdoses
• Upgrading systems in forensic labs to ensure timely and accurate drug tracing and sample processing
• Training to track criminals using the darknet
• Improving services in medical examiners’ and coroners’ offices for record-keeping and investigations related to suspected overdoses

Grantees must report overdose data to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System to receive funding.

Federal Training Programs

The bill includes a provision for Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to train state and local law enforcement personnel on better coordination with federal and state agencies related to tracking drug activity.

Standardization of Data Reporting

The bill directs the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to create uniform reporting standards for data submitted to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System. This aims to improve the ability to compare data on drug purity, formulation, and weight across different jurisdictions and agencies. The bill clarifies that this will not impose new obligations on state or local laboratories.

Funding for Fentanyl Profiling

The DEA is also required to include in its annual budget proposal a line item specifically for funding the Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program, which addresses the tracking and analysis of fentanyl-related substances.

Relevant Companies

• PFE (Pfizer Inc.): As a manufacturer of pharmaceuticals including opioids, Pfizer could be affected by changes in regulatory pressure and public scrutiny related to opioid overdoses and data collection.
• MCK (McKesson Corporation): This company is involved in the distribution of pharmaceuticals, including opioids. Changes in opioid overdose data could influence their business operations and compliance requirements.
• ABC (AmerisourceBergen Corporation): Another pharmaceutical distribution company that might be impacted by regulatory changes, especially in tracking opioid distribution and overdoses.