The opioid epidemic confronting America is a growing public health crisis from which none of us are immune. Its impact is felt by families across the country, in small towns and large cities, coast to coast and everywhere in-between. Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted solution involving everyone—parents and teachers, prescribers, biopharmaceutical companies, mental health professionals, those involved in distributing controlled substances and federal and state agencies.
Recently, we announced our support for a number of more aggressive policies to combat opioid abuse, including a 7-day script limit for acute pain, and our companies are working closely with NIH and FDA on a public-private partnership to bring new non-opioid therapies to market for patients who are in need of appropriate pain medication. These are in addition to our pursuit of policies that mandate prescriber education and training, expand treatment capacity and treatment options for those facing addiction, enhance the effectiveness of electronic databases that track prescribing of controlled substances, and provide greater access to overdose reversal agents and medication assisted therapies, among other policies.
With regards to the recent Washington Post & 60 Minutes stories, we want to be clear that PhRMA did not support or lobby in favor of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act and reports that PhRMA spent $40 million lobbying this bill are unequivocally false.
Had we been contacted by these news outlets in advance of their stories running, we would have explained our longstanding support for enhanced law enforcement efforts to fight the opioid epidemic (as evidenced here and here). We also urge Congress to demand an independent assessment of whether the DEA has sufficient controls and authorities in place to prevent illicit diversion of controlled substances. And we believe that Congress should consider whether existing criminal and civil penalties are sufficient for repeated failures of DEA registrants to ensure that they report suspicious orders for controlled substances in a timely manner.
We will continue our efforts to fight this terrible epidemic, and we stand ready to work across the entire system to find ways to work together to do so.
Robert Zirkelbach
Robert Zirkelbach is an accomplished public affairs executive with more than 20 years of experience shaping the debate and influencing policy on behalf of highly regulated industries and corporations. As Chief Public Affairs Officer & Head of Strategic Initiatives at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Zirkelbach leads public affairs, strategic initiatives and membership on behalf of America’s biopharmaceutical industry.
He oversees integrated public affairs campaigns that advance patient-first solutions, strengthen our health care system and preserve the role of the U.S. as the world leader in biopharmaceutical innovation. Since returning to PhRMA in 2023, he has elevated the industry’s voice in Washington, expanded PhRMA’s membership and spearheaded the organization’s five-year strategic plan.
Previously, Zirkelbach served as Global Head of Issues and Advocacy at ExxonMobil, where he led high-impact advocacy campaigns on issues central to the company’s mission, including climate change and plastic waste. During his tenure, he also oversaw a strategic risk function responsible for identifying and mitigating potential policy, geopolitical and reputation risks facing the company. Zirkelbach served as spokesman for America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) during the pivotal debate and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. He started his career on Capitol Hill as press secretary for Congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA).
Zirkelbach is a graduate of Central College. He lives with his wife and two children in Washington, DC.
Robby Zirklebach
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robzirk/
Chief Public Affairs Officer & Head of Strategic Initiatives
More oversight needed of unapproved medicines that threaten patients’ health
Florida’s importation plan puts patients in danger
Three things to know about the accelerated approval pathway
Why drug importation is bad for Americans
PhRMA submits comments on FDA’s proposed rule on drug importation
Drug importation: An old idea that is still a bad idea
What they’re saying: Safety is top concern for recent drug importation proposal
ICYMI: Canadian government, stakeholders voice concerns with drug importation proposals
PhRMA responds to Florida’s request for information on drug importation
PhRMA CEO raises concerns with Florida importation proposal, highlights reforms needed to lower costs for patients
Look at the facts. Drug importation is dangerous.
Combatting Opioid Abuse: Joint Partnership with the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative and The National Sheriffs’ Association
Securely dispose of your unwanted medicines on National Take Back Day
The Washington Post retracts PhRMA claim in opioid story
VIDEO: PhRMA CEO discusses industry response to opioid crisis on Mornings with Maria
Protect your health: Important disaster preparedness tips for Harvey and Irma
PhRMA Supports President’s Commission’s Holistic Approach on Opioid Crisis
Opportunities to build upon enhanced competition for medicines in the marketplace
A critical opportunity to prevent prescription drug abuse
Former law enforcement officials raise concerns with drug importation proposals
Resources for understanding the dangers of drug importation
How drug importation schemes could increase U.S. law enforcement burdens
Case Study: How one online pharmacy knowingly endangered U.S. consumers
Why drug importation threatens patient safety
Fact Check Friday: The truth about drug importation and patient safety
What you don’t know about importation from Canada
Discovery of counterfeit hepatitis C drug is another example of why importation is bad for patients
PhRMA response to Washington Post and 60 Minutes stories
Prescription Drug Safety
Rx Drug Abuse
PhRMA response to Washington Post and 60 Minutes stories
PhRMA response to Washington Post and 60 Minutes stories