While supporting NJ Governor Chris Christie’s recommendations to combat the drug addiction crisis in New Jersey, Enclara Pharmacia (Enclara), the market leader in comprehensive pharmacy management services to the hospice industry, calls upon policy makers to exempt hospice patients and individuals receiving palliative care from the Governor’s proposed five-day initial prescription limitations on opioid prescribing. Emphasizing opioids as a well-established and clinically appropriate treatment for this vulnerable patient population, Andy Horowitz, CEO, Enclara, cautions that unnecessary restrictions impeding access to these vital medications could result in unintended adverse consequences.

“Hospice patients, their families and caregivers already face significant challenges in locating these pain medications at retail pharmacies,” says Horowitz, explaining that retailers often maintain limited to no product inventory as a result of storage constraints or potential for diversion or criminal acts. “Putting in place additional barriers will only serve to compound stress for dying patients, their caregivers and family, and will increase the likelihood of patient suffering,” Horowitz added.

In order to receive hospice care, a physician must certify that a patient’s life expectancy is expected to be six months or less. “We acknowledge pain management as the first and most important goal of hospice care,” says Horowitz. “We understand the magnitude of the drug abuse problem for our entire nation. But we also recognize that with thoughtful, appropriate controls and access to pain medications for hospice patients, we can provide the care that is desperately needed without violating the spirit of proposed legislation. We anticipate that NJ legislators will be responsive to these needs and act with sensitivity and compassion.”

Together with his colleagues who are focused on end-of-life care, Horowitz reaffirms a commitment to assist Governor Christie and NJ Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino in addressing the opioid addiction epidemic.

About Enclara Pharmacia

Enclara Pharmacia is a national full service mail order and PBM supplier of medications and clinical services developed specifically for the hospice and palliative care industry. Enclara services over 500 customers and 85,000 patients in 48 states, helping to reduce pharmacy costs through a clinically driven model that enables home delivery of pharmaceuticals, as well as access to a network of over 65,000 retail pharmacies, including our own automated fulfillment pharmacies, and institutional pharmacies. For more information, visit www.enclarapharmacia.com.