Joyce, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Deter Counterfeit Pill Production

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressmen Dave Joyce (R-OH), Lou Correa (D-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ) recently reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation which targets the surge in counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine and related substances that has led to a spike in overdose deaths. The Stop Pills that Kill Act would implement new penalties for counterfeit pill production.

“Illicit pills laced with fentanyl have contributed to the deadly opioid epidemic that has impacted too many Ohio families.” said Congressman Joyce. “I’m proud to lead the effort to help authorities crack down on the rising production of counterfeit pills and prevent tragic overdose deaths.”

“In Orange County, throughout California, and across the United States, countless families are having to bury their loved ones as a result of the proliferation of deadly counterfeit pills,” said Congressman Correa. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues to introduce this legislation today—to give law enforcement the tools they need to stop these criminal manufacturers in their tracks and save countless lives.”

“Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl are ravaging our most vulnerable communities and taking countless lives across the country,” said Congressman Buck. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to crack down on the criminals peddling these drugs and help keep our communities safe.”

“Drug traffickers are pumping fentanyl into America in the form of counterfeit prescription pills—and it’s worsening the opioid epidemic, particularly among teens and young adults,” said Congressman Stanton. “Our bipartisan legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on these criminals and save lives.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), just one kilogram of fentanyl can kill up to 500,000 people, making it 100 times more potent than morphine. The Stop Pills That Kill Act would implement penalties for possessing paraphernalia used to manufacture counterfeit pills laced with methamphetamine, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogues. The bill also requires the DEA to create an extensive plan for combating the surge of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl or methamphetamine throughout the country. 

The Stop Pills That Kill Act has been endorsed by the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations Coalition, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Song for Charlie, Victims of Illicit Drugs, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National District Attorneys’ Association and the National Rural Health Association.

Read the full bill text here.