[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       CLOSING A LOOPHOLE THAT BLOCKS PHARMACEUTICAL COMPETITION

  (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. VEASEY. Madam Speaker, today, I urge my colleagues to pass the 
Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act, which will close a loophole 
that blocks pharmaceutical competition and prevents innovative 
treatments for opioid abuse disorders from coming to the market.
  The opioid crisis in this country, as you know, is very serious, and 
the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. Because the 
pandemic and all of its underlying issues--fear of the virus, increased 
economic hardship, and the challenges of staying at home and 
maintaining a safe distance--opioid abuse disorders are skyrocketing, 
and the epidemic has taken a toll on communities in every corner of the 
country.
  I am proud to co-lead this piece of legislation and that our 
Democratic majority pushed ahead with bringing it to the floor again 
for a vote amid last week's partisan attempts to hold this legislation 
hostage, because fighting the opioid epidemic cannot wait any longer.
  In the past 20 years, we have seen a drastic increase in opioid 
addiction, with nearly every State in the Nation seeing a spike in 
overdose deaths. Passing our Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act 
will help curb the senseless loss of life by expanding treatment 
options and driving down costs of new medicines.

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