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Council hears mixed reports on fentanyl access; plans follow-up with DEA representative
Summary
Council members reported no widespread fentanyl shortages in Connecticut but noted isolated pharmacy or cross‑state issues; they plan to meet with DEA representative Rod Marriott to clarify access and distribution concerns and to gather provider input.
Council members discussed whether patients and hospices in Connecticut are encountering difficulties obtaining fentanyl for symptom control and palliative care. Several providers said they have not encountered supply problems in the state, while others noted intermittent shortages in related drugs.
A council member described receiving an inquiry from an out-of-state provider who reported difficulty accessing fentanyl when transitioning a patient to a Connecticut level of care; the council asked whether similar problems exist locally. Providers on the call said they had not observed a statewide fentanyl shortage. One speaker said there is currently an intermittent shortage of oral morphine that affects hospitals more than outpatient settings.
Members discussed whether the issue could be cross-state prescribing or formulary restrictions rather than a true supply shortage. Several providers noted that fentanyl is not commonly used in home hospice in their agencies—cost and diversion risk were cited as reasons why many providers do not start with fentanyl in the home setting.
The council agreed to pursue clarification and set up a meeting with Rod Marriott of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to discuss distribution, cross-state prescribing and any barriers to access. Staff volunteered to coordinate a meeting and to collect provider questions in advance so the DEA representative could prepare. Several members asked staff to query hospice and home-care providers about current practice and any access issues and to report the results back to the council.
No formal policy change or vote was taken; the group described the plan as a fact-finding next step.
