WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced legislation to stiffen penalties for those who use pill press to make counterfeit drugs, including opioids. The Criminalizing Abused Substance Templates (CAST) Act modifies the Controlled Substances Act to define the criminal penalty for making counterfeit drugs using a pill press. Current law prohibits this practice but has insufficient penalties, particularly relating to fentanyl. U.S. Representatives David Kustoff (R-TN-08) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Strengthening our law enforcement’s ability to crack down on illegal pill presses keeps harmful substances out of our communities,” said Dr. Cassidy. “No one should have to worry if their medicines are counterfeit or laced with fentanyl.”
“Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl pose a major threat to our communities. Strengthening penalties for the criminals creating these counterfeit drugs can help get them off the market,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that law enforcement officials have the tools that they need to crack down on criminals making counterfeit drugs, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.”
The CAST Act makes possession of a press mold with intent to counterfeit schedule I or II substances a crime. It also increases the offense level of making or selling controlled substances in conjunction with possessing a pill press mold by at least two levels. Violations of the act would carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Background
The CAST Act makes possession of a press mold with intent to counterfeit schedule I or II substances a crime. It also increases the offense level of making or selling controlled substances in conjunction with possessing a pill press mold by at least two levels. Violations of the act would carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Cassidy previously introduced the CAST Act in 2019. Learn more here.
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