how does csa t. plan to expand knowledge and awareness about these medications? either one of you.

a better understanding of what their strategies are, so we think this is an important issue. we work with the fda so we can promulgate the increased access to the treatment because that's one of our concerns, making sure people have access to new treatments as they develop and that consumers have access. >> i thank you. i would point out, mr. chairman that i've heard about electronic medical records and the concern are warning that is a broad interpretation and smith versus maryland in which the nsa relies on its current standing with you if you shared your medical records with a third-party insurance company, you would also not required a search

warrant to get this record. i don't think that's right, but that's another day. >> the gentleman from pennsylvania, dr. murphy for five minutes for questions. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i appreciate the panel being here. i want to follow up on question about drugs used to treat opioids. the information published by the fda allows for the use of generic buprenorphine in the context of that are patient during decision. however, there's a concern from psychiatrist to treat persons with addictions that the indications are big enough to allow interpretation. i've heard from doctors misinformation about wine a doctor will prescribe generic versus the box and strip which leads to access issues because farmers are concerned.

irony be aware of the problem with this issue? does not come system and we can communicate on later? i'm not trying to trip you out. i'm trying to see the concerted dialogue. >> it would be better for it had more specifics about that one. they were recent issues about generic sabbagh sound from a citizens petition submitted to our agency that we responded to. we'd be happy to follow a period we are aware of the overdoses and how much they've killed with prescription painkillers. states collect information on prescription, but how this helps is still a concern. one person can go to 10 different pharmacies attended for prescriptions and the states can pick up the same person. of course john doe can also sample and prescriptions for my grandmother, my aunt and the question is can we find that

person who may be using legitimate prescriptions or the next step is false names, et cetera. how does this collected information by the states help us in finding such persons? >> congressmen, the two important parts of these seven nines run by the state ports of licensure. one is they can have the instant access to genu patient or the number of.or is that patient also seen because these require when they fill these prescriptions identification. the other is a port of licensure in the states regulate in this and not federal government can use that to identify a prescriber or maybe above and beyond and take appropriate steps for inquiry.

people do look at innovative ways around this, but i would recognize kentucky as an example that have the most knowledgeable people running they are seven nines have been successful in bringing this down and the other part of the goal is to get somebody into treatment to reduce the problem. >> let me add another element. a couple years ago congress passed a law saying people were picking up sudafed how to show a photo i.d., and veteran appeared our concern in terms of what she wonders and are all of you is one person picking up multiple prescriptions for themselves can identify that may be an abuse and the person picked up by the pdmp et cetera. one person legitimately gathering prescriptions for family members we have to identify the person is the problem. can you comment on that extending requiring photo i.d.

to the person's name could be checked if they are picking up? >> i'd be happy to tell you what the state pdmp are seen as a result of that question. i decide to do that. >> any others have comments on lott's agencies may have about extending not? >> one agency not tears of drug enforcement agent d. and there are limitations on how people can fill a prescription that are not written directly to them. it would be important to look into that. i don't know those details, so wouldn't want to trade and air. >> while we are thinking about this in a more formal way, many pharmacies, especially chain pharmacies are requiring photo i.d. on presentation, even for the person for whom the prescription is it and whoever picks up the photo i.d. is required. i know people are concerned about the issues.

>> they will begin to raise questions by contact with the doctor and we want to stop the illegality and help people in need. i hope that's an area we can move towards a concrete action that congress can take and i look forward to talking more about that. thank you, mr. chairman. >> the gentleman from texas, mr. green for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. dr. clark county spoke about efforts to prevent prescription but the treatment activities and addiction disorders arise. treatment of addiction to prescription drugs are so important and as we all know, promising behavioral approaches exist to treat this addiction. the affordable character builds on bipartisan legislation cosponsors supported by members of this committee, the mental health equity act of 2008 to ensure more individuals suffering from substance abuse

received the care they need. how do you anticipate the access to services for people addicted to prescription drugs or have other substance use disorders? >> one of the things that is in the affordable care act is the provision of services for mental health and substance use disorders, which means individuals who have no coverage currently and that is then one of the barriers for people seeking treatment. that theory would be removed to the affordable character will allow health coverage for individuals who cannot afford the cost of care and therefore would engage in care. we also allow a broader reach for using structures like accountable care organizations so they can identify individuals

with risky behavior if you will so we will be able to intervene at an earlier point in time. >> medicaid in the marketplace exchanges whether state or national exchanges will expand the population for those who receive substance abuse treatment. >> indeed. >> it is clear the accountable care act made it possible for such dense use disorders to prescription drugs or illicit drugs to excess treatment. mr. chairman, we have differences over the affordable carrots, but i hope we share the goal of providing robust treatment to those working to overcome prescription drugs. dr. kerlikowski, how do you track the progress in completing action items identified in the

station's plan in meeting the goals you've set? >> when i put together the prescription drug plan, we brought everyone to the table for a number of months and all of the agreements they are continuing to an interagency workgroup, so we set some specific goals and bring those people closest to the problem and on the ground to gather responsibility for each of their agencies on a quarterly basis to go over their progress. so we are starting to see -- i come from a profession that is sent out for optimism in mind for a snack, but i can tell you seen the changes that don't are clark and the chairman talked about from 2010 to 2011, i think we're starting to turn the corner on this prescription drug problem. >> dr. clark come my miniatures in hearing about court nation of the center for disease control

and prevention on surveillance activities. he testified the annual national survey on turkey's collects data on non-radical use prescription drugs among other things. samsung also sees drug abuse surveillance activities or drug-related emergency department visits. is that partnership going to continue and if you have anymore to share with the committee on that partnership. obviously we like agencies work together. >> we are working together. the assistant secretary for health, howard cole and my boss sharing to behavioral health committee, the objective is to make sure we are working together and ms. hyde works closely with the director of the cdc to make sure there is a duplication of effort and

working together with the center for behavioral health statistics dr. pete delaney working with the national center for health statistics to make sure we get the best data possible to the epidemiology of substance abuse. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i yield back. >> the gentleman from kentucky, mr. guthrie for five minutes for questions. >> thank you, mr. chairman. first couple of questions for dr. throckmorton. i'm from kentucky and we've been really aggressive trying to do with the drug problem in our area and the tamper resistant technology has been important. in your written testimony there were two recent determinations from the fda on different formulations for oxycontin and upon a er. can you explain what there's two different determinations of those cases about the drug

resistant technology? >> sure. i'll speak in general terms. in both cases we looked at the available data on that product and then in comparison with the earlier formulation originally developed in us questions about whether or not the new technology promise to reduce abuse. we think it's terribly important that this power of concluding something deterrent behind to be worth developing come and make it something we can reward in labeling terms to make those products attract different manufacturers to take the time and money to develop. in the case of oxycontin when we look at the data, there's important aspects of the new formulation that did predict it would be harder to abuse. one particular is when people try to make it ready to inject.

it turns into a child is physically impossible to inject into someone's arm. the testing of all decent people who are addicts trying to do things that would allow this to be used and they were unable to do it. those sorts of evidence strongly suggests the progress of those care of his states will have reduced attractiveness to abusers in the real world. we are tracking experience going forward. when we looked at the totality of the data around the a pana product, we didn't be data that suggested the product was really going to be meaningfully harder to abuse. >> one more and want to add. thank you for that. on capitol hill is a lot of discussion about whether it's a prescription opiate must have a deterrent to know what you would comparable or meet or exceed the

other drug. can you discuss your event which are doing to ensure the process remain science base and technology neutral? >> absolutely. it's a very important question. we are working internally on a public meeting at the end of september and early over. what i anticipate is we rely on the generics demonstrating is an abuse deterrent, not the thesis seems to elegy. that would be the approach in other places. the testing of a layout and develop will be to decide whether or not the new formulation, however is made its abuse deterrent to the level it needs to be compared with the innovator, not to use the same technology. >> i'd like to ask mr. kerlikowski a question. a good friend of mine, tommy loving is very aggressive and

i'll see them in the morning. it was brought up a few months ago that heroin has shared so an alarming statistic. that seems like something that was 1976 as. because our legislator is so impressive at farms, which tamper resistant, sonata prescription drugs prescription drugs that were difficult to get them heroin. i know you are aware of that. the prescription drug abusers are now finding it's easier to get heroin than prescription drugs. >> that has been going on for a while. the anecdotal evidence across the country is an increase in heroin an instrument show younger population. there's another component about this, to that young people are heroin naïve. older people have an understanding of the dangers

that heroin. young people believe it's not that powerful as long as they smoked or snorted that they won't become in injecting drug user and within a few weeks they do become in injecting drug user at the same time prescription drugs are being made those available through the things you've heard about today and the cost. heroin is much less cost way. we have concerns about the heroin issue and i couldn't agree to drug task force commander more. >> the chair from kentucky, mr. whitfield. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you all for being with us today. i wanted that of a prescription drug monitoring program and since my facts are oftentimes wrong, if i'm wrong you can correct me and then i want to ask a couple questions.

kentucky in 1998 started a prescription drug monitoring program. in 2002, hal rogers started the national -- the prescription drug monitoring national training and technical is since program at the department of justice. that was now not there is program because this committee has the jurisdiction. since that time it's received an average of seven or eight lane dollars a year and we all acknowledge and save that it's been an effective program. i don't think anyone would dispute that. in 2005, this committee that does have jurisdiction recognizing the success of that program initiated mass murder. the only difference is that how rogers program is that the department justice and over at

hhs. master received funding in 2011 and 12 and did not get funding. as a matter of fact, someone at the perp relations committee specifically said no money will be spent, which i thought was a little bit mean-spirited myself. regardless of that coming to you three fellows that are the experts in the area and i would ask you the question, do we need an aspirin a longer? luscious focus on the how rogers program or should we try to combine them? or should we try to reauthorize? i think a lot of the problems in the federal government is that

congress does not have a coherent, organized approach to dealing with the problem. so which do i'll just give us, our committee does have jurisdiction. maybe we should reauthorize and start over, but i would ask are your guidance this issue. if each of your comments, i would appreciate it. >> i know it was designed to have a bit of a different take on the program versus the high-technology of the hal rogers pd mp. we are pleased they are seven to $8 million made available to the state and i would be happy to sit down with not only representatives in congress, but some of these interagency people and provide some level of expertise than what we've seen.

we'd be glad to do that. >> i agree with director kerlikowski, there needs to be shabby state convening of mind to up what it is we are trying to achieve and how best we can achieve it. the specific broker may not be the issue. it is a tech elegy that access is preaching of limitations in dealing with the conflict and imperatives about programs. our focus on linking prescription drug monitoring programs working with the office of national court major tech elegy and the support to get part tichenor's real-time access, the amount of money in the pdmp hasn't been a large amount of money in the first place. the strategy might be how to best use amended resources to

enhance our efforts to do with description drug abuse problem without compromising the health of people who suffer from pain or other conditions requiring controls absences. >> mr. chairman, i might success in a private setting some of ours that could work with these three gentlemen and their staff to determine what can we do can make this program more effective? maybe all the effort should be generated or maybe a combination or something we can do. since our program has expired, looking at reauthorization, it would be help to have these discussions. thank you. >> we will pursue that. thank you. chair recognizes the gentlelady from north carolina. >> thank you, mr. chairman. and thank you for within a subcommittee hearing. thank you to our panel.

i have a couple questions in regard to patient safety for those who truly are in need of pain medication and how as we are trained to make the system more effective for identifying abusers and how to use and work on that problem, how do we protect those patients as well? enough, the first thing that comes to my mind is sudafed issue and how an individual has to basically show their identification and i know why that has been put in place. i'm curious why that approach was taken. is it because it was an over the counter drug initially and because it is used to formulate other drugs. can you tell us a little bit?

i'm concerned we might take an approach like them into the the future with others. >> i want to make sure we understand the question. we sudafed itself is not abuse. it's to correct highly dangerous methamphetamine. additional restrictions to ensure the safe use of that product. different from a conversation where it's in and of itself is a product that has the potential, one that's already under some control and already has -- >> basically the difference being that sudafed was an agent use to create another. so the idea was to find out and

make sure those individuals who are actually purchasing that were identified. the other issue i guess then i'm not as what other protections is the fda putting in place to ensure that patients who really are in need of those critical pain medications, whether it be chronic pain or acute pain, what protections are in place so that it can -- i hate when the pendulum swings one way, when really what we need to do is come up with a real balance. >> would think there's several things to do. first and foremost we been listening carefully. i've been networking on the opioids for substantial fraction of my time for the last several years and i've had the opportunity to sit down with hospice care workers. i sat down with cancer survivors and groups that see the need for access to the pain medication.

i've also sat down with groups that see the cost prescription drug abuse is happening in america. to fully understand the broad back terms, we are trying to this and as carefully as we can. at the end of the day, one of the things we concluded was better educated people are about how best to use these medicines and that means both the prescribers and the patient, the more comfortable we believed they would be making the right choices. the right choices here could be not prescribing opioid to avoid misuse or to make a choice to prescribe it because they're not educated well enough to know how to do it well, how to monitor the patient, how to spot the signs of abuse. they are not scared. >> thank you because i think that is the best approach as well. if there is an individual right

now and i appreciate especially working with us as it is certainly an area where those occasions are used in i concede that issue occurring, but if there is an individual who feels their pain for whatever purpose, whatever reason has an issue with access and feels that they are having difficulty obtaining, is there a phone number? who does that individual reach out to? any of you can comment on it these things. >> parthia will depend on what the source of not being able to get the medicine is. if it's a drug shortage, foreign and scum of the drug not available the way sometimes drugs have gone into shortage recently. we have shortages of that mall periodically or whatever.

that's absolutely something the fda wants to hear about. at the staff that work on the 21st of an trying to understand, prevent, minimize shortages somewhere for website at the fda to allow people to report. busy pharmacy carry the drug, those are decisions the fda doesn't have a clear role in and i would suggest the pharmacy was on local authorities. >> thank you. i apologize, mr. chairman, my time in over. >> and i recognize the gentleman from florida -- >> thank you for holding this hearing and i think the panel further testimony. what with many floridians on the alarming increase in prescription drug abuse in sales prescription medications come issues concerning both overprescribing and illegal use and so the structure be addressed.

prescription drug abuse is a federal and state issue and i worked with local and federal officials to take on this issue. in my district, pasco and panola scanners have the highest oxycodone costs of data with 197 helzberg county in the tampa bay area with 128 deaths from oxycodone. pasco on panola's but the stated that saddam batson hydrocodone deaths. the number of pr related visits from misuse or abuse of prescription drugs is nearly doubled in the past five years. recently there was a drug summit where both health officials discussed the growing problem of babies born addicted to prescription drugs. canalis county ranks first in the state for babies born addicted. florida has taken some steps such as legislation to eliminate pill mills in 2011. florida currently runs in

addition to the controlled substance reporting system the number of doctors on the dea list of top 100 purchasers of oxycodone declined by 97% in a single year in pain management clinic legislation decreased by 36%. this is a good start, but there's much more work to be done. that's why the instructor my office to look into issues of prescription drug abuse in future legislation. again, i appreciate you holding this hearing. i have a couple questions. mr. kerlikowski, i talked about the growing problem of the beast addict to to prescription drugs such as the oxycodone. this is a serious problem in our communities. i'd like to have you come down to the tampa bay area and meet the local officials and providers with this growing problem. are there any fun or programs

available for the local community to tap into help of the problem on the prevention or treatment died and i also want to start de klerk affairs resources for my community of course from seeing so clicks those are the questions. >> congressmen, we found the drug-free communities program to do prevention and of course often times the local voices more powerful and more important to people about prevention. we have worked with them to help them understand and become more knowledgeable. we found him a 700 run the country to become more knowledgeable about the neonatal apps syndrome because we are seen in a number of state, florida and i attended the first meeting of the advisory committee that's worked so hard under the attorney general to reduce that problem. it is a complex problem because

there are women in pain that are also prayed in and being treated. there are women in drug programs at the same time and so there has to be a careful balance. i would also tell you i'd be happy to visit the tampa bay area with you and examine this more closely. >> thank you very much. anyone else wishing to comment on the panel? >> we have targeted past expansion grants available to state that can use their block grants to promote education. we're developing an internal strategy. we realize it's much broader than the opioid, but i see no come anytime a a woman has to take education, there is some assist hated rose, so were

trying to promote adequate education of consumers and practitioners so we can address these issues. we have a pregnant post them on this program that allows women who have addiction problems to get into them during the time they are pregnant and when they deliver, we can do with the mom and child and the data do show the outcomes of the birth are much more positive when they have those products. the most important thing is the concerted effort involving multiple layers of the state level, local level, community level involving practitioners as well as consumers. >> thank you very much. >> the chair thanks the gentleman. the house is voting on the floor. less than 10 minutes left to vote. that concludes questions from them in yours. there might be other questions. we'll submit those to you in writing at the least respond promptly.

members should submit questions by the close of this is on friday, june 28. thank you very much to the witnesses, two members attend without objection the subcommittee is adjourned. [inaudible conversations] >> today, senate finance committee chairman max baucus and dave camp talked about their efforts to revise the tax code. here's part of their comments were they discuss the 1996 tax reform and the irs conservative groups.

>> in 1986, by now both of you have a little on the history and experience of the last major tax reform. i wonder what lessons you draw from that. some things change, some remain the same. what is different now and what's the same? >> all code. basically what is different -- what is the same and today -- the barnacles are put back up again. 15,000 changes to the code in 1986. add more proficient, exemptions, modifications, so forth. if different groups want it's all built up, so that's the same. in addition, the public back then was quite upset with us to

sheltering of income and today i think the public is quite upset with something else. a lot of it is lost income from overseas operations, especially the low tax jurisdictions in tax havens. that sort of populist concern, legitimate american concern yesterday to go to. what's different? back then, president reagan was the primary force pushing tax reform on a reluctant congress. today it's the congress, at least at this point the chairman and the tax writing committees are pushing, started the ball rolling on tax reform, that the administration is a willing participant and i think you'll find the president more engaged.

i'll stop there. essentially the basic need to get the economy going we haven't talked about that yet. the tax reform is going to help the american economy, health care jobs. this competitive world of ours, everything we can, legitimately and reasonably to help american people, help american small business, how multinational corporations to compete better and have less red tape and be less hidebound said they can focus more on jobs. it will help spur the economy. >> i would say the tax code was broken in 1986 and is broken now. i reference this hearing. the three witnesses said the tax code is broken and i would agree on everything maxed site.

the other thing habitat is the world has changed since 86. the ability to invest around the world with the click of a mouse is so much easier. we have to look with other countries have done as well and have modernized tax systems. we have an international business side and the other thing is somewhat similar is you have to be very persistent. that reform would not have happened without continual persistent enough for her. as max said, the economy isn't as strong as it needs to be. we need to get the kind of growth and job creation and wage increase as we haven't been hanging at night and that is making case with layer upon layer of change and it's time to look at it again. that's what we're trying to do. >> what were learning about the failures at the irs let the tea

party affair. dionne policy reform, is their need for fundamental instruction of internal revenues? >> and now, there may be. this looks like at best a complete management failure and outbursts intentional. we don't know that yet and i think it's where we can conclude that kind of thing, we need to know all the facts. we're just moving into the interview of witnesses. there's going to be many more. we are just beginning to get some of the documents from the irs we have been seeking. i think we will get a clearer picture. at least in the initial hearings we've had, clearly the management was either intentionally not looking for a would say so out of touch almost rising to the level of fraud during. i want to make sure i know exactly what happened and it's

going to take time to do that. >> i would agree. rt mr. hadley interviewing irs employees. i got court yesterday for my staff, basicallyconcluding hey, there's real problems here. they touched on it and almost cut off entirely, but there's different offices around the country and is seems to me, it's tough. we've got 90,000 employees. it's tough to manage them all. but it's not managed well and there does need to be significant restructuring, whether that means congress has to do it, clearly within the agency itself its major accountability changes and make sure people are held accountable

and not just left to go in their own direction.

e.u. ministers were critical of the u.s. government's collection of private data is a violation of private data. use that to be. >> a commission statement on u.s. internet surveillance on citizens. the usa's prison program. i would like to inform you colleagues that during this debate there will be a round of speakers on behalf of the various political groups. nor will you be able to use your cards. i will not give the floor to the

commissioner. >> yes, madam president, thank you. i'm reading the statement of the commission and i'm here today is that of the vice president. the european commission is concerned about recent media reports that the united states authorities are accessing on a large scale the data of european union citizens using major u.s. online service providers. programs such as so-called cities and in which such programs are out there has, potential indenture fundamental right to privacy and to data protection of the use. the present case is reported in

the media is also likely to reinforce the concerns the e.u. citizen regarding the views of personal data in the cloud. already in 2010, 2012, 70% of e.u. citizens were concerned that the personal data held by companies could be used for a purpose other than the one for which it was collected. the present case as reported in the media also highlights the difference between the european union and the united case approaches to data protection. virus in the u.s. legal system, only u.s. citizens and residents benefit from cost petition safeguards. and the european union, everyone's personal data and the confidentiality are recognized and protected as fundamental

rights irrespective of their nationality. bob reports are particularly warm sand, the legal issue at hand is not a new one. it has been tackled by the commission in the past, to give a single example, the commission his art he raised the matter of fun for them and access to personal data of european citizen in the framework of the ongoing negotiations with the united states for a general data protection agreement in the field of police corporation. as you know very well, vice president has received this agreement with the united states and she's keeping this house and in particular members of the leader committee informed about the progress of these

negotiations. the commission is asking for career commitments from the united states as to the respect of the fundamental of e.u. citizen to data protection and has to access to judiciary redress in the same way as it is afforded to the united states resident. as far as the present program is concerned, the commission will raise this matter but the united states authorities at the earliest possible opportunity. it will request verifications as to whether access to personal data within the framework of the present program is limited to individual cases and based on concrete suspicious or if it allows transfers of data.

vice president will raise this issue with force and determination at the upcoming e.u.-u.s. ministerial on friday in dublin. beyond context in the united states, the european union can also act by making sure that it equips itself with robust legislation, able to confront such situation and i refer in particular to data protection. under the current legislation, the 1995 data protection with the rights of a visit and a member state are concerned, it is for the national judge to determine whether the data can be lawfully transmitted in accordance with legal requirements with european or international. the commission believes these

concerns need to be addressed. this is the aim of the proposed general data regulation. the reform proposed by vice president radek maintains the current high level of data protection in the e.u. by a dating citizens right, guarantee and they know what the privacy has been violated by making sure that where the concern is required, the concern is real. more specifically, the e.u. data protection reform should ensure that the european union is able to take in situation such as the prison program through its data protection rules that they clear provision of territorial scope. non-european companies when offering could and services to

european consumers will have to apply the e.u. data protection law and foot a broad definition of personal data, career responsibilities for processors and strong international transfers. reciting the proposed general protection integration reflects our view that in order to avoid conflicts of jurisdiction, access by your country law enforcement authorities to the personal data of e.u. citizen held on the servers of u.s. government should be done via established generals such as the e.u. u.s. mutual legal assistance agreement. the european parliament has submitted an ends to further

clarify provisions of the regulation the conditions under which the judgment of a court or tribunal is enforceable under e.u. law. the commission was like that these proposals. i remember is, not a president, the commission convenes the quick adoption of this proposal would resolve any legal loopholes created when companies collect and handle personal data of european citizen and phase two different sovereigns. the commission therefore comes to support the object design principles of the e.u. data protection reform and work on a swift adoption.

thank you very much. >> thank you very much, commissioner. the speakers on behalf of the groups would like to get the floor on behalf of the performance. >> madam president, commissioner, mike data belong to me. that is the cornerstone of european thinking on data protection. the state also recognizes my data belongs to me. i decide what happens with it. that principle must be respected by the state. those boundaries must be taken seriously. reports are in the u.s. are cause for great turn. it is good we are discussing the matters here today. it is good debate has been triggered in the u.s. we need to look at the right way to handle personal data. it is completely unacceptable and i would like that to make on

behalf that it is completely unacceptable that the united states of america has different rules governing access to personal data applicable to u.s. citizens on the one hand this is in other countries. our friends and you should know that. we now need to define our target from our objectives. first and foremost we need transparency. we need to know what is going on. vice president redding and the commissioner has the full support when she calls for clarity in dublin. we need to look at implementation of existing rules. we want transparency from companies of google, facebook and other companies active in the u.s. their customers need clarity. it's access being provided to the state or not? what about the u.k.? the reports the u.k. secret

service is allow access to the european citizens. we need clarity from the bush government forcefully. the internet is a global phenomenon. when a common standards, choice standards. the commission is working on a framework agreement for police and judicial cooperation. this is good. this is something we welcome perhaps. we also need a framework agreement on private data. we need global state standards agreed with the u.s. that is something we should work towards, a framework agreement for personal data. pointed the to european cardiff european data is stored in the cloud, it should be in europe and we can guarantee to our companies and citizens at this data is stored and secured according to european standards. we need the modern e.u. data protection legislation. we cannot call to order if we do

not have the highest, most modern standards here in europe. there are developments i have concerns about as records of the quantity of data being stored it for me to look at technology to analyze the data where progress is made. we must be brave enough to set clear limits and standards along the lines of what the commission has proposed it on the ninth of july were voting in the committee. we cannot leave ourselves open to blame. we cannot hesitate. i would call on the council to stop focusing on minor points of detailed look at the major challenges faced today come up with results. finally, it is for the epp to date that we reiterate the u.s. as our partner. we were not in a position to build up standards when it came to international terrorism, organized crime from the european authorities however did

benefit from the analysis carried out. a bomb attack was presented in germany because he painted south by the u.s. authorities. a second trade was prevented. i would like to reiterate that i'm clear the u.s. is our part or pay up when it comes to space, were still waiting to come forward with the european proposal to analyze financial transactions. the u.s. approach is not our approach, but we are together as partners to achieve our common goals. thank you very much, madam president. >> and now i'm behalf of the group for four minutes. >> madam president, commissioner, for the smb group, the events of the last few days, the information published last week with regard to the top-secret u.s. system surveillance enacted by the nsa

allegedly in corporation with i.t. world giants like apple, facebook, google, microsoft, skype, youtube trusted major giant companies have caught a shock to european citizens and for the acid group, we are very clear while security is important, this is cause for citizen a major breach of trust and for us in the group, the ministerial meeting on the 13th and 14th of june is something we regard as vitally important that the parliament, but all the political groups get the commissioner support and hold them to account eric holder, united states for what they have done in transferring allegedly information of our citizens, which may be completely unnecessary in the fight against terrorism in the fight for security of our citizens. unnecessary information breaches

trust and delete data is secured and fight against terrorism in the fight to maintain security. it's that balance between security and the need to protect data, that vital balance. the reports in the guardian, the "washington post" and "new york times" seem to show companies required by the nsa to share information for antiterrorism purposes and upon secret peace accord orders accepted to do so at facilitating access to servers to u.s. intelligence agencies, possibly offering the u.s. intelligence community the possibility to send directly to company manage secure online groups. are particularly concerned generalized access and mass processing that e.u. citizens data provide horsemen or other purposes may have taken place on the responsibility of the about and should come any in the

framework of this program in a way that is not combined with the e.u. data protection legislation. we are right that the absence of an overall transatlantic framework come ensuring the protection of data, especially considering negotiations with an umbrella data protection agreement between the e.u. and u.s. are ongoing since 2011, this seems to be currently stout. we wish to ensure that the commissioner holds to account the u.s. and to ensure u.s. public authorities that when they are processing unit citizen data do so within our standards. secondly, wish to reaffirm to agreement to data protection phone package along the lines define original in our proposals and reinforced by amendments tabled by the rapid terse and such as improving protection requirements.

in this context we do not quite clear that the e.u. legal framework for data protection for law enforcement security purposes by public and private actors remains extremely relevant and cannot in any way be delayed. finally, we believe special attention to issues of data protection and data flows will be required by negotiating the e.u. and u.s. agreement to safeguard to me as a primary e.u. legislation in this field. we are well aware of the commitment of the commission to hold the u.s. in relation to data flaws. it's extremely important in light of the prison and nsa issue that e.u. citizens are assured of what can happen. am i a member state, the united kingdom, there's serious concern as to what is happening in trust has clearly been breached. it's up to the e.u. to play its role in ensuring that we hold them to account what the united states has done in this case

that our standards are maintained and e.u. citizens are assured to raise standards are maintained. >> thank you very much. colleagues, let remind you that the decision of the groups there's no procedure in this debate about is not more than the speakers of the political groups. i would kindly ask to take the floor for three minutes. ..

>> well president borosso should have thrown to straussburg to answer. where is the responsible commissioner? why aren't the prime political leaders of europe here? we also need to look at ourselves, colleagues. look around you. this house, just over a decade ago, when faced with a similar situation, something called echelon, we decided to set a heavy parliamentary inquire into echelon. today we gate handful of dedicated and refuse to address 500 million citizens. we are failing the european citizens at a time where trust in the european union is at an

all-time low. we should be ashamed of ourselves. and to the subject matter itself. we can't have been very surprised to find that the americans are spying on us, because we knew about it. we have been asking questions again and again and again, but asking questions through the commission is like talking to a wall. i have a long list of nonanswers to my questions, about the patriot act, and extra territorial application of u.s. law, and we get no answers from the european commission. and the member states because there's a national debate about the same issue, mrs. merckle will ask the americans for an explanation but in all our member states, including the uk, and my member state, we're doing the same. so, the member states are speaking double speak to the citizens. are we surprised they're losing

trust? and actually you can say the citizens don't trust their governments anymore, but the governments seem to trust their citizens even less, we're also losing moral authority here. how can we tell the governments of, say, egypt, iran, any other country. >> not spy on their citizen because that has no place in a democracy, if we are doing the same on our citizens. we are losing credibility here. on the special relationship, i have heard nearly all colleagues here refer to the special relationship with our best friends and closest --

americans in the fight against terrorism. and i'm sure that we will continue to be their allies. we need to see eye-to-eye, and we expect the commission and with all due respect i'm grateful your here, commissioner, but this is a matter for political leadership to defend the right office our citizens. and the time is now. [applause] >> thank you. >> dear colleagues, dear commissioner, i completely share the concerns which have been raised by all political groups here and i would like to say it's not only data protection, it's not only small technical issue, this is about the rule of law and about democracy because

both of them are not in line with civilians. they cannot be in line of civilians of people around the world so we need to stand up here to say clearly, surveillance is not what we want to have and we need strong data protection rule, as a precondition for democracy, for rule of law, and also for security and trust in the digital market or the market as a whole. so, therefore, it's a very good issue that we react as u.ans with creating our own standards on data protection, safeguarding the rights of our citizens in the first place, and decide as quickly as possible on the proposed regulation on data protection, with strong centers and also with regard to transfers because this is about companies protesting person data, masses of personal data of us and then giving the

opportunity authorities to access them. if we want to have a safe european cloud we need to make sure that we have strict and strong e.u. data protection rules which are enforceable and which create clear rules for transfers. only that will help and as the framework agreement on the data protection with the u.s., i would say i'd like to work on it and like to agree on standards with the united states, but, therefore, we need movement on the other side of the atlantic. we need some legislation. we need some legislative changes, because without legislative changes we will not come to a common basis. thank you very much. >> thank you very much also. >> i. >> translator: i'll give the floor now to -- >> commissioner, the debate here today is about increasing the trust and feather of citizens in holding to account governments

and agencies that serve and protect them. those companies already named and shamed, have so far denied acting outside the law. governments and the european commission have expressed concern. we have heard this morning, but too early to draw final conclusions. yet here we are, already pointing the finger, some of you already expressing strong antiamerican or anticommission rhetoric, that is all too familiar, as is the opportunism and grandstanding without pausing to gather facts or proof. is no stranger in the practice of convictioning a defendant before the trial. this parliament is currently working hard on reforming its data protection rules, and is still pursuing agreement on data exchange with the united states. something which i and my group support. key to the success of being able to protect our citizens beyond

our own borders is our relationship with other countries. yet i would caution that often the way in and some members of the house articulate themselves do little to bring us together on values but instead pushes us further apart. protecting citizens from modern threats is a balancing act. intelligence agencies are often lambaste for not acting soon enough and then equally condemn for going too far. their successes are celebrated in private. their failings are only too public. increasingly, as we know. terrorists and organized criminal groups use information and technology against innocent citizens. therefore, there must be an expectation that the same technology will be used in our response. but that information must, of course, be used and respected within the confines of

democratic principles and legal you're oversight. we do not game more freedoms by take agos away and our greatest asset will always be the rule of law. that is why sometimes it is necessary for us politicians to remind those with less visible power, that ensuring freedom in the safety of our citizens must not come at the price of sacrificing democracy. but it might also be worth some people of the room remembering who the real enemy and is where it is. and that when we deal with allies, and when we want answers and the truth, that friends listen most. when you talk and not when you shout. thank you, president. >> thank you very much. now on behalf of the usd for one minute. >> translator: thank you very much. dear commissioner, i'm disgusted by the league's secret prison

program, the nsa. the agency, since 2007, has been harvesting information and information on our citizens, all electronic communication passing through american channels. this shows that they are violating the privacy of our citizens and our rights. we must not admit this spying on european citizens illegal monitoring of the citizens at least illegal, in the e.u. and the u.s. that's why american companies which have allowed access to this type of data, to the u.s. government, have violated e.u. legislation. and we have to investigate this

issue. and we have to adopt the same measures and sanctions against these companies which we apply to others who violate our laws. with that behavior of our american partners. >> now the floor to colleague -- >> translator: thank you, madam president. hearing you speak, commissioner, i've -- well, i'm trying to take the -- i know should have been -- i have to tell you there's something across the atlantic, the revelations on this merely confirm the fact that of all of us have been denouncing for some time

regarding -- in may 2010 the president told us, himself, how well the u.s. constitution protected the u.s. citizens' rights, that's been criticized in recent days. thanks to snowden we know the nsa has been involved in at least nine major internet companies. now, they're saying, we daytona know, it's all -- we examined the requests very carefully. the source of greatest concern to us is something that obama said. he said this quite boldly. he said, internet surveillance does not open light to u.s. citizens or people living on u.s. territory. a judge has to authorize surveillance of the subjects. the u.s. -- we have proof here

that anybody else can be -- it's really what we have been saying for months, european citizens do not enjoy the same rights as u.s. citizens. data is being gathered in bulk, without any way of -- confirming this, we can't anymore allow to come back having achieved absolutely nothing. we reject access because we want our business in europe to have their data protectes. the situation has been going on far too long. this hypocrisy. we must make sure the u.s.

respects the privacy rights of european citizens. thank you. >> the next speaker has one minute. >> president, ladies and gentlemen, what would you say if a worker from the u.s. secret services was watching you night and day, tapping your data, recording it. you wouldn't be happy with that. but 24 hours a day that's what they're doing with internet traffic of millions of people. this house is responsible for the protection of fundamental rights. this program breaches human basic rights. what are we going to do? when it came to swiss and the pnr were we taken for right by the u.s. authorities. that cannot be. it's time we grasp the metal here and lift if our responsibilities and put our minds to ending the program. we should instigate an inquiry to see what legal implications

arise from the program, what european secret service has ben fitted from the data. and finally, we should have u.s. citizens invited to this house to be accountable to it. the way we're going now is just leading away from free democracy. >> finally, i will give the floor to commissioner borst for his concluding remarks. >> thank you very much, madam president, and the commission. i must say, shows the european parliaments concerns on this present scandal and i shall inform vice president of our discussion today. i must also state that mrs. redding will address the committee on the 19th of june, which means that she will not only discuss and refer with the community on the testimonies which will take place.

until that day but will also refer to the committee on her negotiations and her meetings in dublin next friday. in fact she will raise our shared concern at the meeting next friday in dublin, and will also request some clarifications from states and attorney general holder. this debate, madam president, even though short, and of course very well -- the thoughts which are not contradicted to each other. one of them is that we should clarify things with the united states, and make it clear that whenever european citizen's information is concerned, european rules should apply, and that we are not happy with the level of protection of data information from the united states in particular even if you

read, as mr. moraes said, "the guardian." there is a reference by the whistle-blower to the facility with which information could be accessed by the very person who has leaked this information. in fact, he said the government has granted his -- referring to the u.s. government -- the government has granted itself power it is not entitled to. there is no public oversight. the result is people like myself have the latitude to go further than they are allowed to. so we are entitled to ask questions in the next summit on whether this has been done as regards european citizens. at the same time, i appreciate mr. kirk's remarks. let us not forget who the enemy is.

and i can comment as a former administrator of interior for ten years, what would the fight against organized crime and terrorism be without the collection of proper intelligence? but the frustration of any law enforcement agency is -- it should not be a frustration but it is -- that's why terrorists and organized crime have no rules to go by. law enforcement agencies in a democratic country, ruled by rule of law, cannot use anything but the gloves of law in order to fight terrorism. which is why i appreciate the comments of those, who have said we had a special relationship with our u.s. partnersment we have important investigations

regarding prevention of terrorism, true shares information with our partnership, but no one should use this special relationship, not to abide by the law. and not to abide by international standards. so this is the fine balancing act of retaining this partnership, but because there's a partnership, it's not only right but deeper obligation, because if the relationship is special, then the obligations should be special as well, and no one should be taken for granted. so i appreciate also madam's comments on this issue. bearing in mind also what mr. kirkhope said about who the proper enemy is. and i would like also to recall that in the context of the proposal for the reform of data protection in europe, and i

appreciate the positive comments made by members as to the importance of adopting this new packaging proposed by madam. the commission has made it clear that the application of law by countries may be in breach of international law and establishes legal challenge that should be used. the commission is ready to consider any improvement the european parliament would consider necessary in this respect. that is why we need to work together for a swift adoption of the packaging that so many member states would like to see delayed. it is our common interest to work hand in hand in the direction, the more so in view of these recent developments. thank you very much. >> the following day in the european parliament, the foreign affairs chief, katherine ashton briefed member about political unrest in turkey where protesters have been demonstrate

can against the government of prime minister erdogan. this is an hour. >> translator: quite sound reasons in terms of our debate here on turkey, and waylon -- -- the commission report from the situation in turkey. >> thank you very much, mr. president. a sad situation. can i say to distinguished members of the european parliament, i'm very grateful for the discussions i've head with some of you in the course of the last two days here. as you have seen last night turkishing police launched major offenses to remove protesters from taksim square. the use of tear gas and water

cannons, and report office widespread injuries. once again, the police tactics are a major cause of concern. i followed events closely from the start and issued two statements, one through my spokesperson and then directly myself. so i, of course, coordinated closely with my colleague and dear friend, the commissioner, who was on the ground in turkey last week. he was meeting with the prime minister, as well as meeting with civil society representatives and many of you will have seen what he said in the speeches he gave, and i pay tribute to his work, not just then but always. i think it's fair to say that we believe we have seen too many examples of excessive police force over the last two weeks. the close range use of tear gas. water cannons, plastic bullets, against protesters who have been

overwhelmingly peaceful. self thousands have been injured. tens of them severely. some have light their sight due to excesstive use of tear gas and at least three have died. so, their families, a serious situation has become a tragedy. i express again on behalf of myself and of you, deep sympathy for the'm injured. we have been very clear in the statements and i re speed again, excesstive use of force by members of the police against peaceful demonstrators must be swiftly and thoroughly investigated and those responsible held accountable. the environmental concerns of the initial demon straighters developed into the it would -- wider concern of a significant part of society feeling their voices are not heard in the turkishing parliament. the major in istanbul and --

could risk adding to the tension when we need a deescalation. the answer, i believe, is engagement and not antagonism. calls for peace and tolerance have been -- union leaders and representatives of the protest experts promised that lessons will be learned about the need for greater public dialogue in the future. prime minister erdogan is due to meet representatives of the protesters today. this is an important opportunity to find a way forward, based on dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect. know that turkey as a candidate country needs to aspire to the highest possible democratic standard and practices. these include the freedom to express opinion and assemble peacefully, the freedom of the media and freedom of religion, belief and thought. democratically elected governments, even the most successful of them, which have

enjoyed three election victories and have half the population's support. they still need to take condition of the needs and expectations of those would don't feel represented, and peaceful demonstrations are a legitimate way for such groups to express their views. i've also been surprised by the initially sparse domestic media coverage given to the demonstrations in turkey and by attempts to condemn and restrict the use of social media, which has been the prime form of communication throughout. freedom of the media is a concern in turkey. it is right that the european union should champion it as a channel to exercise freedom of speech. social media, too, should not be seep primarily as a source of problems but a valuable conduit for communication, legitimate protest and dialogue. this is an important moment for turkey. the chance to roo knew its commitment to european values, to embrace the culture which

values diverse opinion, different lifestyles and open debate. turkey's reforms over the past years have already been truly impressive, and let's remember that it is this turkish government that has shown statesmanship, vision, and bravely in embarking on a peace process to resolve the kurdish question. so i am convinced it can meet the challenge, and use this moment to take further steps forward and expanding fundmental rights and freedoms. this is not the moment to disengage from turkey but to engame more closely. and for turkey to engage more close toly with the e.u., to. dialogue with turningey is fruitful. in a dialogue at the highest level must be kept up, all the more so when times are challenging. last december's council stressed

the importance of active and credible negotiations and the need for those negotiations to regain momentum. we are -- and within reach of a new visa dialogue, under signature of readmission agreements inch light of currency balance we should engage with turkey more on these negotiating chapters, most fundamental to its reform efforts. so our relationship with turkey gives us a real opportunity to influence if we use it. we need to make the most of all the tools we have and of course turkey needs to work with us. it's clear to me that the case for engagement is doubly compelling now. thank you, mr. president. [applause] >> s'. >> translator: thank you very much. that brings to us our list of speakers.

starting with miss --... >> what started peaceful turned now into frightens. the images have made an impact on all of us. not only in turkey, in europe, and the world. we in this parliament have always the importance for turkey to make reforms, reforms in order to safeguard fundamental freedoms, and they also include the right to protest. dear colleagues, it's not being -- it's not only about legal reforms. it's also about perception. if the comments of prime minister erdogan would have been more sensitive, the language would have been more sensitive,

and also the style of governing, then -- the style of governing to those who didn't vote for him would have been more sensitive, then it would want have happened. therefore, i totally agree with the president, democracy is about more than elections. and majority always needs to consider the position of the minority. and today, mr. erdogan is -- since searly hope -- sincerely hope he will use this opportunity to present himself as leader of all citizens. however, a vibrant democracy also needs competent, constructive opposition, and that also fits. so i would say i believe that there are at least challenges for the opposition. dear colleagues-this u.an

parliament has -- european parliament has consistently criticized the media freedom in turkey, and i think the past two weeks have concerned our conditions. i hope the recent events as we are might prove to be a turning point for turkey. i thank you. [applause] >> translator: thank you. mr. president first of all i want to thank our representative and vice president, and commissioner for that very clear statement. that is what needs europe to have these clear statements. this day of erdogan won't change, mr. erdogan said, and that is a dangerous threat because he has to change, unless he wants to lead turkey away from europe and away from respect of european values.

yes, a majority has supported erdogan at the last election. maybe still development don't know. but i know many supporters are who not on the erdogan side today but are protesting in taksim and it's very strange that mr. erdogan who started his political clear to push the military back, which is a good thing, now uses the same deep state, especially the police to attack peaceful demonstrators. police in uniform but those in plain clothes. and that is still here and he is using this instrument. after ten days of protests, four people dead, 5,000 injuried, many, many people in the prison, is this the action of a democratic government to demonstrations? yes, there were high school -- high school began hooligans

there as well. some people try to come and misuse peaceful demonstration, but it's not correct -- it's not justified for mr. erdogan to say these demonstrators are such h.l. hooligans and cannot be respected. i fully agree with the vice president when she says we need more engagement, and therefore we should start immediately to negotiate the chapter 23 and 24 with turkey, because these are the issues where we can put a test to the turkish government, and the turkish government if they're ready to go i've europe or not, because if turkey today is the country with the highest number of journalists in prison relative to the number of journalists all around the world, this is nothing to do with democracy. and if this effort want wants to solve the kurdish issue, which i would like him to see, at the same time he put as lot of

people into prison and we have sympathy for the kurdish issue, to have some people think he only wants to solve the kurdish issue that got kurdish votes in the parliament to change the constitution for him to be then perhaps the president of a stronger presidency in turkey. so, the last point. erdogan wants to play a big partner arab world, but how can he do if it is with a younger generation. he wants to go back to the normal way, to be a proper prime minister, to be a role model, mr. erred erred -- erdogan would have to change. this turkey cannot have a place in europe, erdogan to have to

change to change turkey. thank you. [applause] >> translator: i have a blue card. will you accept that? >> translator: thank you. i want to put a question to my -- to the speaker, mr. swoboda, dissing a portrait of the situation and analysis which i could have read in the media anyway. but a question to youor, just a few weeks ago you had the debate on freedom for the west balkans and in turkey you want to find a total solution, solution to everything; you want that freedom from bosnia, but how does that fit in with the

reality of just put to us? obvious change your mind. not again what is your attitude on this in the negotiations with turkey on this subject now, mr. swoboda? >> translator: my deer colleague, your ideology blinds you and prevend you from seeing reality. nobody said that we wanted to include everybody east of croatia. has nothing to do with accessionment we have lot of country with visa normal a's bit no process of accession. it doesn't give people a chance. if have always been for that but turkey must take the chance, and erdogan is not taking a chance he has to change so turkey can be a democratic country. >> translator: thank you. >> first of all, let me say that i found the first statements of the union on the second and the

9th of june, at least in one aspect, inappropriate. was more outspoken when he went to turkey, but in both states, until the 2nd and the 9th, not only you express your concern but more important, you ask, and i quote now -- i have both here -- restraint on all sides. could you please explain what sort of restraint you expected from the peaceful demonstrators on taksim square? peaceful demonstrators confronted with brutal police forces and also peaceful demonstrators facing tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. so, i was surprised, mr. chairman, and not let be honest insuring fact disappointed, that the union has again chosen to be ambivalent in the face of what is a clear violation of human rights by a

state for the moment in turkey, a state by the way that is a candidate for accession to the european union, because what has happened in turkey is a clear violation of human rights. and we all know that it is not an isolated case. in turkey, we have seen over the last years a growing deterioration of the fundmentals of the democracy, and a look at the media, for example, has already given that as an example. turkey is today -- i call it the biggest prison for journalists in the world. according to reporters without border, it is ranked 154th and has just three places above the last dictatorship in europe,; that is happening today in turkey, so it is, in my opinion -- i didn't hear that

from the european union in their message. what is happening in turkey is a constant abuse by an excessive state. i call it clearly the majority has -- the system the n which decision taken by a majority are always more important than the right minorities, always more important than the right office individual people, and it's going beyond turkey. look to russia, mr. putin, he can say to hungary, now we are talking about turkey and erdogan. let it be clear, i'm not questioning, and i don't ask you to question, the democratic mandate of the elected government of turkey. what i'm questioning, and what i'm asking you, is to stand up against a deteach tier -- tee tier you're racing of a democracy that is becoming a --

mr. president, before you use your hammer, my group is a strong supporter of a european choice for turkey, but let me be clear, not a turkey that turns its back to the european principles. >> translator: can you take a question? thank you. the question, please. >> translator: thank you very much. yes, you're talking about stopping the negotiations for that session because, as you said, turkey cannot join because it doesn't meet the criteria and less every day that goes past. i want to ask my question. i'm a european federalist like you. but we could have a european federation. it's been -- we can have a

european federation with a noneuropean country like turkey. >> i don't think turkey is a noneuropean country. if you go to instan paul you are in con stan continue nopele and that is always part of europe. more than ever the ottoman empire was an ally in europe. so it's not a question of religion. i think we're mull at the cultural in europe, multireligious? europe and that can be a place for turkey. there can be a place for turkey in europe. if -- and that's the point -- if they've apply european values and european principles, freedom of speech, and a real democracy. that is the key question. the other cite tierarch not an old fashioned discussion about culture and language, and i know what i'm talking about. i come from belgium.

[applause] >> translator: thank you. thanks, mr. president. i'm very pleased that we're having a debate on this in the house today. shows we have all understood that something is really going on in turkey. the question is, what is going on? i think it's something that actually something we should be pleased about and also worried about. pleased about because we feel, one feels we see civil society and citizens really getting involved. that's promising for a completion of turkish democracy, but worrying because we see the authorities' response has been so far. the authoritarian repressive road using security forces and that leads us in the direction

of a russian style brute force democracy. so, what can the european institution do? parliament -- this situation which is so fluid, changeable, i think we can try to move the energy, we can see in taksim square, into the direction of deepening democracy, and as europeans that's what we should try to do. i'm surprised because i think that erred want, -- look act what is being said on taksim and the demands are very simple, very clear. i don't really see why they don't enjoy wide support here. put an end to suppression. i think we can all agree on that. stop this project, carried out before hand, a desire to be participating and be able too participate in what is going to happen in terms of istanbul. we can agree with that as well.

a demand for an inquiry into the very serious events which have occurred. serious because people have died. people have been wounded. people are in prison. people have got files opened up on them, and there are still people with people's loyalists today, people demonstrators are in jail. so, what is happening in taksim square is something which has everything at stake. people -- we want to see people freely expressing opinions. the what europe is all about and that is what is at stake. i think that the part and the changes the government wants to be about, there's large group of people part of turkey society who have gravitated around this cause and done so because they are up against a regime which up to now has not -- still not -- i hope they will. i'm being careful what i say --

this government will be able to do down the road of consultation, discussion, dialogue, and calming things down. that's not the case at the present time, however, mr. president. we need to stress what is happening in the press. amazing and all the concerns expressed in this house about turkish democracy and journalism in our report. are true, we've seen the three or four biggest papers in the country are basically ignoring what is happening in taksim square. it's astonishing. just to end, if we want to help, we want to be useful, we as europeans should make a proposal for dialogue and say, let's open the chapters in negotiations. for development, open 23 and 24 so they can have a dialogue about fundamental freedoms, freedom that people in taksim square are demanding.

thank you. [applause] >> s. >> translator: thank you very much. let's have a truth dewait and be able to say what we think -- debate and say what we think. when we have blue carded and people on the left respect the time, please. >> thanks a lot. we need to step back and be a little cautious in our analysis. of course we all condemn the heavy-handed police response to the demonstrations in taksim square. indeed these actions a have already been condemned by the deputy prime minister. what is still not clear is whether the demonstrations are a reliable indication of widespread and simmering and popular discontent that will continue to fester and that clearly needs to be addressed. many of us want the best of turkey. it would be a shame if the good legacy would be diluted in

particular his modernization, tolerance, democracyization and removal of influence from political life while remembering a strong islam. we have seen adherence to nato and great progress towards western liberal democracy, and of course, market capitalism, which has delivered enormous economic process. i'veles said, if we appear to close the door in turkey's face, we should not be surprised if she turned another way. we're not yet at that stage. in the case, i hope that the great changes in the shape and direction of the european union that will have to take place in the next few years, with an end to ever closer union and the loser, more flexible europeanupon focused on the single market, and this union will more easily accommodate a country such as turkey. thank you. >> thank you, dear colleague.

>> thank you. >> translator: thank you, thank you, mr. president. throughout the debate in which turkey has made significant achievements in reducing its debt and paying off imf loans, he himself policies have helped nurture the emergence of the turkish middle class. a big achievement indeed. ironically, today this middle class represents the large majority of the people that are out in the streets protesting, against what they believe to be a violation of their freedoms and secular lifestyle. i think that it would be say safe to say we're witnessing the evident of the development of a noon secular political islam in

turkey. we've created absolute terror among the secular -- that we see now in the streets. so the question is, are we moving away from the model of secular democracy? the that case, until now there was hope that this model could be replicated in other countries in the middle east. it was presented. made the mistake to take all these issue on himself personally. it is very difficult for him to back up now. so, i think that we must part our confidence and faith in the president, despite putting his signature on the ban legislation, he is the only politician that willingly comprimise and reconciliation, thank you. >> translator: thank you very

much. >> translator: thank you, mr. president. i firmly believe that democracy means full respect to the minorities. democracy means listening carefully to the people who may not agree with us. when freedom is coupled with the red yaness to give space to the others, that is democracy. it is more than that the turnish government has no idea of what respect to differing opinion means. one to be more understanding und tolerant to those who find themselves today in the same position as he personally was a decade ago. we fully support the demonstrators because they have the right to demonstrate. and we call upon the turkish government and the police forces to refrain from any further acts of violence and suppression. i have a word of advice for the

government as well as for the demonstrators. there can be no democracy in turkey without giving to the the turks their fundamental freedom. there can be no democracy in turkey without restoring the fundamental right office the cypriots, but greek cypriots and turkish cypriots alike. i insist that democracy will arrive in turkey the day that the turkish government decides to withdraw it's occupation army from my country. >> translator: democracy in turkey will flourish when they withdraw their troops from cyprus. thankthank you, already preside. >> thank you, president. >> translator: last month, thought it was a good idea to speed up the accession talks

with turkey. he was so pleased with what he called progress in turkey. he even invited mr. erdogan to brussel. that is an epic mistake and look what is happening now. the demonstrations in turkey might seem to have been very sudden but you can't say the same thing about the alleged of islamization mr. erdogan is carrying out. so we have had our warnings but the european union is blind to reality. erdogan is now -- feels he has -- lax attitude on the part of the european union, and once again we have been roll ought the red carpet for for erdogan. completely absurd, enough is enough as far as my party is concerned, mr. erdogan is not

welcome at all in brussels. the e.u. is not worth very much indeed. thank you. [applause] ,. >> translator: thank you, president. high representatives. ladies and gentlemen. i think our first duty as members of this house is to express our regret for the violence and the loss of life in is -- istanbul. we need to express our concern for freedom to known strait, freedom of conscious and the right of minorities. but i also think that we need to act in a responsible way in the e.u. use, coming witch slugses based on dialogue, mutual understanding and mutt to all respect. -- mutual respect. i don't think we should ignore the importance of what is happening in turkey. i think that the debate isn't a

question of whether we're reacting well or badly or whether we reacted early or late. i think commissioner and the high representatives have responded well. i think that the important thing is that we remember that we can't allow ourselves to see turkey destabilized. turkey is a positive and active partner of the e.u., introduced many reforms. it's a firm ally within the atlantic alliance. it's taken risks thanks to the invasion of kuwait. it's important as far as the trafficking -- the traffic of oil across the black sea is concerned. it's important element in the arab spring. it's received more than 400,000 syrian refugees. so. we need to make sure that the e.u. keeps a close eye on the situation in turkey but doesn't interfere too much. we need manage this but allowing

responsibility to be taken by the right people, and that we need to act in a consistent way, consistent with the values wees spouse here in europe. thank you, mr. president. >> translator: thank you. >> translator: turkey may in the last year d. >> temperature turkey make tremendous economic progress. i it trippedle the economy some tripled the standard of living of order people. but in spite of this progress we see this demonstration. why? because it shows that people don't want just bread and butter, they want freedom. they want the human right. they want civic rights. they want democracy. they want rule of law. they want to take part in the decisionmaking. whether it's the future of the

park in istanbul or the future of their country. this is for mr. erdogan and in my view, a wakeup call. turkey can go either on the way towards more democracy on the way to europe, or turkey can slip into unfortunately the situation that is developing in the middle east. turkey needs a new constitution. not because of the e.u. but because of the democracy and development of turnishing society and turkishing economy. in this process of creating new constitution, not only the ruling party but also the opposition should be included. the civil society, the journalists, the lawyers, everybody who is willing to take part, and i think turkey in this

process also needs our help. because if we let this for us -- not only for us very important country to slip down on this slippery slope, it will be -- it will have terrible consequences for us. so i think in order to strengthen the commitment to turkey, the turkish perspective, we should open the chapter 23 and 24 because only in this way there is the chance that turkey can move forward and we can help in this process. thank you very much. [applause] >> translator: thank you. for the events in turkey, the rule of law in that country, and they are about to turkey's accession to europe and they

represent big progress for turkish civil society. more than mr. erdogan wants to believe. people alike, nonreligious, liberal people, people from -- pull together and these demonstrators are the victors, the government is the loser here. we need to know from the government how many people have been arrested. how many journalis, how many human rights lawyers, home demonstrators and students are in prison. we demand for these wrongly arrested people to be released. we ask for justice, before any way this country can move to europe. said mr. erdogan needs to change, ladies and gentlemen, we are not going through a psychological debate here. not the question of a man change

organize not. we want a political debate here. the political system? turkey needs to change. they need make it possible for civil society to be representative. you can't get in until we need the political culture to change in turkey, not a dictatorship of a majority, but minorities need to be respected and have their voice heard in politics, so i think here quite clearly, yes, we need to carry on dialogue with turkey. i agree. but there's one thing that is very true. today is not the day for us to talk about these chapters. no one that is unfairly arrested will bring -- will see progress made if we talk about -- we need to see these people released and we need to see political change in turkey. [applause]

>> translator: thank you. miss keller. >> thank you. the violence against the people in taksim square and elsewhere in turkey is simply not acceptable. peaceful protesters have been beating up, tear gassed, injured, and in the thousands and have been massively arrested. some have even died. the people -- the police are arresting people simply because they use social media. all promises of dialogue have been empty promises so far. i urge the high representative as well as the commissioner to step up their efforts to use all tools to pressurize the turkish government to stop their authoritarian rule and the violence. the turkish government needs to realize that there's a great chance for them in the process. if they embrace pleural -- pluralism, if they involve the population but going against the human and citizens rights of

environmentalists, students, lawyers, workers, artists, everybody, is going in the completely wrong direction. the people in turkey need our support, and we have to give them a very, very strong signal of our support, and a very strong signal that the european union will not accept such a violence. thank you very much. ... much. >> thank you very much. >> translator: disproportionate unwarranted use of police force against people who demonstrate his outrageous. restraint and understand with respect to those who protest should be a guarantee of four freedoms with fundamental requirement in order to follow the aspirations of turkey to come true. in other words, we must be made

turkey as the leader of democratic transformations and as an example of reforms by other countries. its contribution to the economic development of europe are very important as we talk about her political ossetians. under the rule of prime minister erdogan, another reform has unimplemented and stabilization of the country. is also important to look at the involvement of his government as the conflict in syria and assistance to refugees. every country has tradition on the respect for religion. unfortunately, we can to deny the site is within the european -- >> thank you. in turkey, what was originally an environmentalist demonstration, political issues have now become an all-out.

as the government becomes less secular and more and more fundamental, the violent repression is not just on moral grounds. it violates fundamental rights, which is an important pillar of the treaty of lisbon and of our security policy. any agreement with turkey cannot be done without this. it is being shown that freedom and democracy that young people take into the streets and squares of turkey have never been surprised and governments that do this thing off and show themselves to be more anti-democratic and fundamentalist than the ones overturn to put them in place. i agree with the high representative that we need to keep channels of communication and dialogue open to turkey to

present a dangerous isolation, which might drive mr. erdogan into the arms of the fundamentalists. i also think turkey is a vitally important part there, destabilization of turkey in a very unstable region could mean a very serious threat to the peace security of the middle east. thank you. >> thank you. >> thank you, president. i have to say i was appalled by the statements he put out on sunday night calling for restraint. at that stage i was traveling back from istanbul, were a witness in the working-class suburb of this symbol, cause he has some massive use of tear gas, teargas being shot against

protesters, the massive use indiscriminately of water cannons against protesters. your statement came over 24 hours before the retaking by the police, turning it into a war zone from watching television in a move that was entirely anticipated by protesters and many others. they are guilty of that to many democratic rights and freedoms. it's the government responsible for cracking down on those rights, police brutality, responsible for julie morris making a statement against policies. if the government responsible for the neoliberal environmental restructuring of the symbol for the repression of the kurdish people for the imposition of conservative policy against kissing in public to divide and rule the people. the people were absolute consideration. i say to them, do not show restraint. do not be afraid of returning the streets to demand their

rights. they clamped down by socialist alternatives next weekend for one-day general strike and to make sure erdogan is forced to resign. thank you. >> translator: mr. clash, the extremely weak reaction to events in turkey have made the e.u. completely incredible, lost all credibility. we are being made to look like fools in the islamist government, which they believe everything that is against any such succession. if i listen to my colleagues here, you think it's a violation of human rights, a reason for

rewarding the turkish government by opening a chapters in negotiations. at the start of the negotiations, we said that they could be stopped at any time if it became clear they would not be meeting the requirements. what more do you need to do to? turkey to even start a negotiation must be stopped now for good. [applause] >> thank you very much. >> as president, commissioner, colleagues. what's going on in turkey against human rights, against demonstrators, and this is unfeasible and we must put an end to it. that's all that needs to be said. in terms of what is done with the demonstrators. there are huge amounts of

journalists in prison. we need to try the rule of law, but boosting the outcome of the tax regime and not much is being said about that. it seems to me europe is being used to get over the old obstacles and for people to do what they want to do themselves and get rid of secular society and so on, basically as a rising of the secular -- the society, the internet generation, the modern turkey rising up and pushing against erdogan. something has gone wrong in our policy here emesis, then the questions today. we need to look at new ways, norway's style situation,

getting nato in here. turkey is a very important country here. we need to find the right way of doing things, which is carrying on a new chap or here would be a terrible thing for those in prison for the moment, so we need to change our approach here. we need to get a modern turkey that stands together with the west and human rights and that's something we need a norway's style solution as opposed to accession two. [speaking in native tongue] >> i think president, when he too began by expressing their solidarity with those people suffering repression and condolences to the families of the guns.

where the entire violence has occurred. the best way of showing our respect to the people who have come into the street in the squares of turkey in the last couple of weeks would be a thing to try to interpret what their message is, what is coming out at the square. a pluralist body that is intergenerational, various classes are working together and i tank is relatively easy to interpret what they're trying to say. it's not the arab spring, nor is it an occupied wall street, nor is it the angry ones are the people rioting in suburbs in the u.k. or france as a soph years ago. if a specific message, a turkish message being conveyed.

people are saying something very simple, although what they want to achieve, they want a legal system that's independent to be free and then they believe that in turkey they should recognize that oster minorities. they believe in turkey we shouldn't have any polarization or confrontation through nationalist or religious reasons. if people aspiring for a mature democracy. they are due on government, those in power being addressed to the opposition. the opposition is to become credible. it's also directed to us in europe. europe needs to act in a mature

fashion. it shouldn't react in a contradictory way. we need to assess without interfering and hope these people achieve their goals. thank you. >> what i see through the clouds of tear gas is a demographic revolt. clumsy, complex, messy, but also moving. in style, it reminds me of chicago and paris in 1968. and like the follow-through from

such spontaneous revolt, indiana and, turkish democracy is to emerge stronger with political parties that will be less authentic of their leadership, with a turkish parliament, which is more pluralistic and with ideologies who both secular and religious, which i must preoccupying. i believe that turkey has a great capacity to become the world's first liberal modern

must on european country. i rejoice at the event that are now in thank you. >> thank you. >> thank you, colleagues. >> my dear colleagues, the revolt in turkey as an expression of fear, the fear that turkey will become a state in which authoritarian approach takes precedence over democracy and free choices. democracy consists of freedom of opinion and freedom of assembly. turkey really must apply those free guns and not just as mr. faller said earlier and the high representative has repeated, aim for the highest

democracy -- democratic practices and principles. it must apply them as a former journalist has said just as partially immune system of a healthy society. i want to go down a different road. and the race on the extension of the middle east if democracy in turkey is nothing more than a mask behind which the estate is two faced it got to take countries especially in a negotiation talks and the resolution. >> hi, representative. we have very much concern for the installation of the situation vis-à-vis thousands of people, people defending their right to live in a party for free democracy and a secular

democracy on the road set up. we've seen journalists and so on, people that believe in freedom of the press been imprisoned and that's very concerning absent violence against people demonstrating and the fact that some police people have committed suicide or set down from their posts. important we take note of the turkish people's -- turkish people's request to press ahead, to live in peace, democracy and freedom. thank you. >> thank you. the turkish minister for

european affairs yesterday called the head of his government to mr. erdogan a gift from god for the turkish nation that political evaluation matches the complete lack of a sense of reality that he himself has shown in these turbulent tax stays in deep his actions in public characterized by deliberate polarization of society. sadly, mr. erdogan keeps on heating up the public atmosphere and speaking outright untruths about the behavior of the demonstrators of istanbul. the desecration of a mass, what is worse is to come pehrson he made yesterday between the demonstrators and those who carried out a murderous attack early last month in the southeast of turkey.

and he's doing that against a backdrop against violence by the police politics. council and commission must absolutely not let go this complete lack of political self-criticism and sense of responsibility. can you make that point, please? at the end of last week, mr. erdogan didn't even bother to listen to what commissioner fuller had to see through the interpreter and that is someone who is the head of the government of the country who wants to join the e.u. the economic power created by a decade of dominance shirt and they should get close. the turkish government is opening the floor of money from the 40 billion euros in public german every year on both public and private sometimes told to be silent about serious cases of corruption. the controversial editor really

admits that the demonstrators don't realize they don't take decisions. it's our bosses and they have fingers in every pie in the economy and, you know, we cannot stand in the way of those entries. turkey of course has enough critical media. in 2006, there were no more than 70 cases of akp manipulation with public procurement brought to light. but the point is main guilty party not only got a free, but today is part of trains devens private staff and comes to brussels attend. is this massive nationwide protest in the past three weeks that should drive the akp to put its own house in order, not by expelling members of the party. honesty is the best policy. that applies for a turkish society as well and i will be

looking forward to the talks next week in turkey. >> thank you. [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: the communist party condemns the turkish government against the demonstrators we express solidarity with the working class and the people of turkey is struggling for freedom. on the seventh and eighth of june, i was then the square and the state violence toll is terrible. the turkish government have attacked ordinary people, political parties struggling against the anti-working class party at the government. they even attacked the communist party of turkey's headquarters and the cultural center. they are now trying to expel members of that party.

the turkish government policy against the people of syria, the intervention links in with the peerless intervention of nato, the e.u. and the u.s.a. as well as the 27th of may decision for the right waving of the embargo on supplying weapons to the syrian opposition. we see now the possibility of an increased imperialist war of the wider area. we need to stop the violence and repression of the you do see people, older journalists who had not had it today. that doesn't mean they are good at what they do, that the demands of their generation and ours are very different.

i think older people who decry with the media saturation is doing to us in terms of constant news stream, things are valid. the argument take your time can get your facts right is always going to be true. we saw it on the health care ruling. we saw in the boston marathon bombing and the pendulum swings back and forth and now we are at a time where people are reconsidering how important is to get your facts right in double source things. >> clark was born in charleston in the tdd. her father was a slave. she started her teaching career in the 16 day rural sprawl off the coast of charleston.

she continued her career in urban schools of thought carolina, all of her teaching career as a carolina and in 1956 dissidents have carolina passed a law preventing subversive organizations such as the naacp that she lost her job in retirement and develop the citizenship education program to be used during the civil rights movement.

>> up next, today's house hearing on prescription drug abuse. to hear testimony from tripp policy or, someone beneficial to the food and drug administration and the center for substance abuse treatment. this is just under two hours. [inaudible conversations] >> the subcommittee will come to order. future will recognize himself for an upbeat statement. today's hearing is the first in a series of hearing this subcommittee will hold on the sub active prescription drug

abuse, which has been described by the centers for disease control and prevention as an academic in the united states. in 2010, 7 million individuals aged 12 or older, 2.7% of this population were current nonmedical users of prescription or psychotherapeutic drugs and over 1 million merchant department visits that year. all these drugs were originally prescribed by a physician. according to the national institute on drug abuse, prescription drug abuse is most prominent among young adult command age eight team to 25. in 2010, almost three dozen young adult died from prescription drug, namely opioids overdoses, which is more than the total number of people

that died from overdoses of any of their drug including 77 and 70 combined. opiate pain relievers such as fake admin and oxycontin are the largest class of abuse prescription drugs followed by stimulants for treating attention deficit dvd disorder, adhd, such as adderall and ritalin and central nervous system depressants are relieving anxiety such as valium and xanax. according to the national survey on drug use and health published by the substance abuse and mental health services administration, of those individuals who use prescription painkillers in 2010 and 2011, nearly three quarters receive the drugs from a friend or relative either for free to repurchase or base stealing the

drugs. 4.4%. today's hearing focuses on the federal government reese on to the prescription drug abuse epidemic. it should be noted that this committee has played a key role in facilitating prescription drug monitoring programs by authorizing the national prescription reporting i come across monster by whitfield and ranking member pullout. master is housed at the department of health and human services to sign into law in august 11, 2005 to assist states in combating prescription drug abuse of controlled substances through the pdmp. it provides grants to set up or improve state systems that meet basic standards of information collection and privacy protections that make it easier for states to share information.

pdmp enables authorities to identify drug abusers as well as the prop room doctors to make her overprescribed or incorrectly prescribed prescription drugs. while an excellent step in the right direction, the program has not been funded since fiscal year 2010. although hhs continues to fund state pdmp through grants to support interstate interoperability and operation of pdmp with electronic health records and improve timeliness of access to pdmp data. it's abundantly clear the prescription drug abuse is a crisis in the united states. while we discussed this complicated issue in a way to keep in mind many medications that so many are abusing our critical for many patients living with chronic pain. institute of medicine estimates

with a 100 million adults in the u.s. living with chronic pain. it's critical as we move forward that we remember these medications are vital for americans experiencing such pain. the hearing will help us understand there is components of the issues of the challenges we face. this subcommittee will learn about the programs currently in place. today's witnesses represent the drug control policy, fda and the substance abuse mental health services in minutes ration. i look forward to hearing the testimony. >> thank you. thank you airedale the balance of my time and recognize the gentlelady for five minutes for an opening statement. >> i think to ask if i could put the testimony opening statement of mr. waxman into the record.

i'm happy we are having this hearing on drug abuse in the united states and of glad we can work together in a bipartisan manner to tackle this problem. i want to welcome our witnesses today. this hearing provides an opportunity to discuss action we can take two and a crisis truly destroying lives across the country. my constituent, peter jackson tragically lost his 18-year-old daughter to sematech while visiting family, unless us and offered her and oxycontin tablet that belonged to her uncle recently died of of cancer after taking the tablet while drinking, emily went to sleep and never work. she died from respiratory depression. she stopped breathing. while emily's story of dying after taking a single oxycontin tablet may be rare, dead from

the abuse and misuse of prescription opioid drugs are not -- prescription opiate drugs were involved in 16,650 overdose deaths in 2010. accounting for mark to them from overdoses of heroin and cocaine combined. ..

>> there actions under way to combat this problem at the federal level. we passed several provisions as part of the fda's safety innovation act to combat prescription drug abuse including the requirement that fda hold a public meeting on the scheduling of hydrocodone to issued guidance. federal agencies financed also operating programs to combat prescription drug abuse with efforts of populations at risk for prescription drug abuse. we must partner was states if we are to be successful to end adduce to to the

state's ability to license to trade those prescribed and dispense the drug. also build the current efforts to identify additional steps to tackle such abuse. we must make drugs containing hydrocodone schedule to drugs. but with legitimate needs it is needed to reflect the potential risks these pose to public health and also take steps necessary to restrict the use of hydrocodone to severe pain rather than moderate to severe in order to prevent the over prescribing of the medication. i will forward to hearing from our witnesses about the federal government's efforts to combat precription drug abuse and the additional steps to stop the new issues

of the open your rated drugs in knight welcome any comments that i have made and i yield back. >> dr. burgess you have five minutes here opening statements to make the fact of the matter is we lose more people in this country to a drug overdose than automobile accidents and of those two-thirds are prescription and drug overdoses. we have a big problem with there is plenty we can do but so far there has not been anything more than as short-term approach but we need a comprehensive strategy focused on going after the bad actors. we could go after the pill mill, they may be hard to find but maybe not. they advertise. so we are fortunate they tell us where they are and there hours, the charges, if i can find them, how come

the of board of pharmacy can or law enforcement can? take a hard look by ran a medical practice 25 years never wants to die offered discounts, dispensing on-site, high-coupon included and it warrants a hard look and it just does not fit the normal type of medical practice. we should reauthorize to fend it and it is the only authorizing legislation to encourage state prescription drug monitoring programs and that is the bipartisan committee it we should encourage qualitative drug screening and contrary policies and encourage formulations to reward investment in these technologies who might also work with canada to space

policies to approving the technology and would get the personal use exemption to see if it encourages to bring it incurred -- controlled substances and also shut down rogue places abroad her card you can go on to the internet to buy a controlled substance pipet pointing and clicking at to statements. i need the drug and i'm not lying. most people can meet babar. i am open to new discussing provider education with a does not subvert medical judgment. we have a few bad actors to jeopardize our patient out of the abuse and diversion and this is an important point*, someone who has written prescriptions i do have a perspective that says we have got to stop the diversion but we also need

to be careful that whenever we do is not so prescriptive that it prevents people who need or have a legitimate use to not obtain it. paying cost is estimated at more than $100 billion yearly and 25% to six days. prescriptions may be an important part of paid there be but we don't stop the bad actors to hurt the people who have legitimate use for these medications that they cannot be allowed to do stop the doctor's ability to alleviate suffering. i in the stand why this may be a series cojones of hearings what we need to of all doctors and patients as witnesses. thank you for the consideration and i will yield the balance of the time. >> i appreciate my colleague to yield to me because i

agree with so much of what he said. the problem is a huge problem to not only the cost of the of the goal dispensing or these types of pain medications medications, antidepressant is, but think about the cost of decreasing productivity with individuals that may be are just a little bit over medicated this may sound a little harsh but obviously i think a little pain or a little anxiety in our lives is a good thing they can be productive. to make you appreciate you have too works through that and if you try to completely eliminate each of those that is read it to the dependency

the addiction and the decrease productivity and cost to society so physicians have a big role to play. even the ones that prescribe it legally. i am not even talking about negative we must look for new and innovative treatment working around new addictions. >> ag for your opening statements.

with the fda, dr. clark thank you for coming. please summarize your testimony. >> thank you chairman and for the opportunity to address the important issue of prescription drug abuse preventing it has been the goal of my office since my confirmation four years ago. along with a number of federal agencies are a government to redress the

administration that recognizes it as a diseased that prevention and treatment of have to play a part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce drug use to give hope -- hope to those needed for public health and safety in we are here because the prescription drug abuse has had devastating consequences for safety in the country. increases for substance use disorders an emergency department visits and said they'd said deaths attributable to prescription drug overdose places the burden and over 2010 alone more than 22,000 overdose deaths were achievable to prescriptions with an almost 17,000 word to painkillers

and in response to administration released a comprehensive program called prescription and drug abuse prevention plan and then to try to focus on the four major priority areas. and in to promote mandatory education with addiction and practices foreword dispensers and for health care providers and that the addiction could be inadequate. medical school receives an average of only 11 hours of trading on pain education and most schools to not offer specific training on opioids and all in some states including i was in massachusetts did utah have man dick cook torrey prescribe for legislation we have, long way to educate the general public to work with the wide array of medical association and

safety organizations to prioritize prescription drugs over abuse of the second klingler focuses on strengthening the prescription and drug monitoring programs and in 20060 may 20 states have them but today 49 states have authorized legislation 46 have pdmp and only those second share over state lines the administration has work as congress to allow the department of veterans affairs to share prescription drug data and we're pleased to say the rulemaking process is nearing completion and it has authorized a health care provider to access those pdmp when consistent with state law and 30 administration has continued to have proper disposal and since 2010 the d.a. has

partnered with thousands of local agencies and coalitions to hold six national takeback-- disposing of over 2.8 million pounds of unused vacation. wesley the administration focuses will improve law-enforcement capabilities to differs abuse and of pharmaceutical initiative from high-intensity drug trafficking areas as trade more than two to 500 and criminal-justice professionals on pharmaceutical investigations and prosecutions the federal law enforcement continues to partnering state and local agencies around the country to reduce the of pill mill and prosecute those irresponsible for improper or illegal prescribing. the illustration is working to expand access an emergency overdose reversal medication for first responders to may encounter overdose victims to help

prevent a fatal opioid overdose mayor also addressing many consequences of the epidemic including the issues like neonatal accidents and heroin use it with other places throughout the country. in closing let me recognize nine of these would be possible if my executive branch colleagues and i want to accomplish without the support of members of congress. thank you for the opportunity to justify. >> mr. throckmorton you are recognized. >> chairman and members of the subcommittee i am deputy director for regulatory programs for the center of drugs evaluation and research at the fda. thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs especially opioids. the problem is hard to overstate beyond this

sobering statistics are individuals and families whose lives have been shattered by prescription or appeal it abuse and addiction and a crisis that affects us all and solutions will require all efforts. balancing the needs to combat a misuse and addiction and a priority for the fda and for me personally. to seek this balance fda has of a targeted in science based approach to looking at critical will be '08 medication i would like to mention what the fda's doing now we are assigned space agency focusing on the safe use of safe minutes madison to encourage the development of drug formulation. they believe the formulation to successfully deterred abuses an important part of

our efforts for there sake use. for example, hall fda issued a draft guidance document to outline the views of the drug product and will participate in a public meeting to discuss the issues in the guidance as well as issues surrounding the development of formulations for the generic drug product. in addition the fda has taken recent regulatory action concerning to opioids products including oxycontin that were reform its intention to make the product more difficult to manipulate and abuse. the data was reviewed carefully and independently from fda scientist in resulted in a change of the labeling 45 with a the totality of evidence and give a reorder we are with the science of abuse was made on a case by case

basis. a second area is the development of effective and prescribing education. the interaction between patients and prescribes hours -- for scribers is a critical role in the fda has taken a number of steps to improve the educational materials are available for patients and for scribers. for example, in july 2012 we approve the risk of vibration mitigation strategy for manufacturers of over 20 extended release and under the best they are required to support the development of effective prescribe for training programs offered by accredited providers and to make them available at little or no cost. the training is based on a syllabus from the fda from other stakeholders in currently posting those educational materials on the web site to make them easier for prescribed ears to make use of. a third critical area is on

ways to prevent the overdose death by improving the treatment of overdose. and injectable medication is a standard treatment to reduce the overdose and ring given quickly it can and does save lives. at a public meeting the fda convened last year with several other parts of the federal government and stakeholders encouraged exploration of new ways to a minister that may be easier than currently available such as ottawa ejectors ought. and is working to have priority assistance to manufacturers that working on assessing the new ways. to finish my remarks our society faces too important to challenges we must balance its efforts to reduce the abuse and addiction than harm families and to read douce access to

paid medications and those that need them but we must act now. these are not simple issues and there are no easy answers. given the complexity of the issues surrounding this problem real and enduring progress will require a multifaceted approach for full engagement of all parties. fda continues to prioritize our efforts to combat this significant public health crisis and we welcome the opportunity to work with our federal partners and the advocacy organization, patients and families to turn the tide of the devastating epidemic. thank you for your continued interest and for the opportunity to testify regarding a the fda contributions on this issue. >> pitcher man now recognizes dr. clark for five minutes for an opening statement. >> did morning. i am dr. clark have a director for substance abuse treatment. thank you for inviting me to

testify today regarding our role in nonmedical use prescription drug for individuals headed use the drugs. our mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on america's community to envision the nation that is central for health prevention for people and to be recovered the abusive issues require surveillant its, access to effective treatment services, continue research by the private and public sectors and the strategy to reduce prescription drug misuse alliance with our department we work with 80 just to participate in the behavior of core dating communities and the behavior health subcommittee and the held partnerships with the

fda, ac/dc, national coordinator nih and others aimed at preventing and treating prescription drug abuse. according to the national survey of drug use in health nonmedical use into 2011 it is the second most used class of drugs in united states. there is no need for me to repeat the data but it is important to us there was a slight decline in nonmedical use between 2010 and 2011 that suggests a national state and local efforts to reduce efforts may have an impact but there is much work to be done. the monitoring programs or pdmp is an important effort to reduce drug diversion or abuse. the analyzes scheduled drugs to prevent misuse and abuse as well as illegal diversion. in 2005 the national schedule prescription electronic act created department aged just program

to administer word by us and we receive funding from congress and fiscal year 2009 and 2010 resulted to provide services to 16 states but it did not provide funding for the program after that then in 2011 it funded enhanced access that was managed collaboration with other groups. its purpose was to use health i t2 have dineley access and but then the program was funded by samhsa with existing federal efforts to improve realtime access to the pdmp data through integration of pdmp during 16 technologies through electronic of records. samhsa has engaged in efforts to retrieve

prescription drug misuse through programs or prescribe burst and prevention and early intervention programs, a treatment of prescription drug abuse as well as regulation. we support the education for your continuing medical education courses and other less formal efforts. and that treatment program is an important tool of persons to might be at used for other substance used. samhsa provides grants to travel organizations for primary care. we have a residency grant program that includes screening for prescription drugs and reid support prevention and intervention and the block grant programs targeted to funding to states and territories for there prevention and treatment and services. the strategic prevention framework for success program is designed to address to of the top

substance abuse parties including underage drinking and prescription drug issues among persons aged 12 through 25 and rework with the drug free community ever in collaboration to make sure the community can prioritize prescription and drug abuse and we're working as other federal agencies to look at the increased accessed in rural settings in a strategy to reduce prescription drug misuse includes the food access to treatment of drug addiction treatment act for qualified physicians to have certain medications for the opioids addiction and also regulate treatment programs that are approved by the fda and worked in collaboration with these and other efforts we worked 82 address the issue of long-term impact of serious public health problems. thank you for the

opportunity to testify with our efforts in this area and i welcome any questions you might have. >> rethink some of gentlemen we apologize we're trying to get the jackhammer to stop but until that time please speak directly into the microphone. we would appreciate it. thank you for your testimony. i will recognize myself for five minutes. the director, to coordinate the many agencies involved with prescription drug abuse, please describe the advantages and challenges that come with these departments involved in the fight against precription drug abuse. >> congress clearly recognized the need for coordination and the fact there are 15 primary agencies all have the role of the drug issue. i don't think anything is more complex search challenging there prescription drugs. does not like an issue that

comes across the border right out of from medicine cabinet. the mere fact that it was not recognized as a significant problem except by subject matter experts in the health field and people who ran trevor programs, but generally the public does not even begin to understand the magnitude of the prescription drug problem. and to bring a ready together to set the table to develop a plan knowing that any one component whether the law enforcement agencies , the regulatory agencies said anyone component would not be able to solve for at least significantly reduce this problem. our partners, two of them are here but a number are out as part of our program, all came together with one goal to reduce this tragedy. not only with the loss of life so we could not be more pleased with there cooperation in an end to

some success in this area. >> mr. throckmorton, a generic versions of opioids into the market jittery of this year does the agency intends to monitor realtime data in order to revive whether such injury affects opioids of use and how will realtime data be utilized to evaluate the science regarding claims of abuse deterrents? >> the goal of our agency has said is to incentivize the development of success of simulations to find ways to move them onto the market. our intent to is to set forth a road map to make that successful in good time. following up, we need to work to develop ways to move the generics that has

technology to make it possible to come onto the market as well. you ask about monitoring and the response to those decisions, we do what said information we have an office of vp day rheology the focus is on marketing issues and we use that information's as malic individual decisions to understand the impact of the decision hours might have with regards to the use a product in the market. >> as a follow-up, the fda has committed through the user fee process to increase transparency around the drug review and approval process. earlier this week we wrote to the dea regarding delays in reviewing the fda scheduling recommendation for new drug approvals containing controlled substances to they have recommendations to address the problem of dea delays? >> the focus, it is an

important question that we make sure we have time access to medicines that are recommended for controlling but remember the final decision is made by the fda and the controlled substances act but my focus has been to make certain there is a timely scientific assessment from the fda that can work to inform that decision for what we have been doing is looking back at the process to make sure it is as efficient as possible to get our recommendations in good order to the dea to our office of the assistant secretary of health at the hhs level. >> dr. cart can you discuss your relationship with the 46 states that operate prescription drug monitoring programs? >> we work in concert with the department ofgst program and

we have through our initiatives three she had to as many as possible to link the pdmp with electronic health records. the program has not been funded so we have shifted our focus from that effort to the 10 other technologies to address the public health aspect by linking health of kurds so we can have realtime data is so the practitioner in the clinic or in the emergency room has access to information about the client sooner than the delays than with other programs we cannot wait two weeks to inform the clinician and we would like to give them realtime access to make decisions about care. rumetimes some aid was