Illicit Pill Presses are Still a Threat

Stop The Opioid Pill Presser and Fentanyl Act (STOPP Act) (HR 1100)

The STOPP Act has been reintroduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.). There have been no notable changes to bill text from the 118th version.

Summary: This bill aims to amend the Controlled Substances Act to regulate critical parts of tableting and encapsulating machines, which are used in the illicit production of counterfeit medicines and fake pills. It seeks to regulate components of tableting machines and enhance oversight of their manufacturing and distribution. It aims to address the opioid crisis by controlling the production of substances that can be used illicitly.

Specifically, it requires those who manufacture or distribute pill tableting or encapsulating machines and their critical parts to “serialize” their machinery, keep records of all relevant transactions, and report those transactions to the Attorney General by creating a national registry to track the movement of these pill tableting or encapsulating machines and their critical parts in the stream of commerce. Those who violate the serialization, record-keeping, reporting, or registry requirements will be subject to penalties.