To the attention of:
Barack Obama, US President;
Jerry Brown, Governor of California;
US Senators from California: Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein;
US Representatives from California: Adam B. Schiff, Anna G. Eshoo, Barbara Lee, Bob Filner, Brad Sherman, Brian P. Bilbray, Dana Rohrabacher, Daniel E. Lungren, Darrell E. Issa, David Dreier, Dennis A. Cardoza, Devin Nunes, Doris O. Matsui, Duncan Hunter, Edward R. Royce, Elton Gallegly, Fortney Pete Stark, Gary G. Miller, George Miller, Grace F. Napolitano, Henry A. Waxman, Howard L. Berman, Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, Jackie Speier, Jane Harman, Jeff Denham, Jerry Lewis, Jerry McNerney, Jim Costa, Joe Baca, John Campbell, John Garamendi, Judy Chu, Karen Bass, Ken Calvert, Kevin McCarthy, Laura Richardson, Linda T. Sanchez, Lois Capps, Loretta Sanchez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Lynn C. Woolsey, Mary Bono Mack, Maxine Waters, Michael M. Honda, Mike Thompson, Nancy Pelosi, Sam Farr, Susan A. Davis, Tom McClintock, Wally Herger, Xavier Becerra, Zoe Lofgren;
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My daughter suffers from a very painful chronic condition. In addition to her own pain, she must care for her dying husband around the clock. He is not expected to live. The chores necessary for his care, the care of their 12 year old son, as well as her own chronic condition keep her in constant severe arthritic pain.
A week ago her physician wrote her refill prescriptions for medication for her chronic pain.
We took the prescriptions to the pharmacy (a 64 mile drive) that afternoon. We were told that neither drug was available. The only reason we were given was that "the manufacturer is not shipping them".
We then contacted the only other pharmacy within driving distance and were told that they also had neither drug in stock. The pharmacist told me that she had ordered them but the order was returned marked that the quota had been met for the month! She would not be able to get a new supply for at least two weeks!
My daughter's phsycian informed her that one of the drugs must NOT be suddenly stopped - that stopping it requires a two-week taper. But we cannot get the drug! A week later she is in misery.
After much research I have learned that the DEA is applying quotas on the drugs which were prescribed for my daughter. Because they have limited the amount of drugs that a pharmaceutical company can supply, my daughter has suffered days of agony! She is in tears, unable to function and unable to provide care for her dying husband. She told me she would "welcome death". This happened on a previous occasion when her doctor changed her pain medication to Fentanyl. At that time Fentanyl was unavailable because of the "quotas" . Consequently, my daughter went into acute withdrawal and was hospitalized with kidney failure. Medi-Cal had to pay for her emergency room treatment and subsequent hospitalization.
What is the effect of these quotas on Methadone Clinics where heroin addicts receive the drug in an attempt to fight their addiction? If a heroin addict cannot get the Methadone, it is certain that he/she will revert to the original drug of choice and will get it by any means possible - including criminal activity! The addicts will find their drugs, just as outlaws will find guns if guns are outlawed!
What are these quotas supposed to accomplish? This is surely causing unnecessary suffering to cancer victims! Children! Terminally ill patients!
Would you allow this to happen to a member of your own family?
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