Gus Bilirakis Warns of Prescription Drug Abuse Under Medicare

In a House Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday on Medicare, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., said prescription drug abuse was becoming an increasingly large problem under the Medicare umbrella. 

 
“Medicare Part D has been an important addition to the Medicare program, and it’s a program that my constituents love, and something Congress can be proud of. However, I have been concerned about the growing prescription drug problem in the U.S. and within the Medicare program,” Bilirakis said at the meeting.
 
“Back in 2013, myself and my colleague, Ben Ray Lujan, first introduced the Medicare Part D Patient Safety and Drug Abuse Prevention Act which would create a drug management program – also known as a lock-in program – to prevent physician shopping and pharmacy shopping within the Medicare program,” Bilirakis added. “The Office of the Inspector General has been supportive of lock-in programs, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has said they need legislative action in order to adopt a lock-in program for Medicare.

“Last week the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act, and that bill included my pharmacy lock-in provision for Medicare,” Bilirakis said in conclusion. “I say to CMS: lock-in is coming. I will continue to fight against drug abuse, and ensure those who legitimately need drugs get them.”