US Bill Backed by Massachusetts Lawmakers Would Let Patients Parially Fill Opioid Prescriptions

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark are teaming up to push legislation that would allow patients to request that pharmacists only partially fill opioid prescriptions.

The bill's goal is to help curb the spike in opioid overdose deaths by reducing the number of pills in circulation.

The Massachusetts Democrats joined with two Republican members of Congress - Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio - in introducing the bill Wednesday.

Warren says the bill will help patients and doctors determine pain treatment while limiting the number of unused pills left in family medicine cabinets.

Clark said access to those unused pills can be a first step to opioid addiction if they end up in the hands of relatives or friends.