Pallone Introduces Bill to Prohibit Sale of “Gas Station Heroin”

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today introduced a bill that would prohibit tianeptine, commonly known as “gas station heroin,” from being marketed to consumers. Tianeptine is an unapproved drug that is marketed as a purported dietary supplement and sold under labels such as “Neptune’s Fix.” Ingestion of the drug has led to an increase in calls to poison control centers and severe adverse effects requiring visits to emergency rooms nationwide. According to America’s Poison Control Centers, 391 tianeptine cases were reported nationwide last year. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) will introduce companion legislation in the Senate. 

The Prohibiting Tianeptine and Other Dangerous Products Act would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to prohibit the marketing of products, such as tianeptine, as dietary supplements.

“It’s clear that these harmful tianeptine-containing products pose a serious threat to consumers and are jeopardizing the health of our communities, particularly our kids. These dangerous products do not belong on store shelves, which is why I’m introducing a bill today to empower FDA to prohibit the marketing of ‘gas station heroin’ to protect consumers,” Ranking Member Pallone said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill across the finish line and put a stop to the marketing of ‘gas station heroin’ products.”

“Americans put their trust and faith in a dietary supplement to improve their health and well-being," Senator Durbin said. "But some unscrupulous companies have abused that trust and marketed illegal—and dangerous—ingredients in some of these products, such as tianeptine. As a result, some consumers have been sickened, and even died. Consumers deserve to know that these products are safe. In the face of this mounting public health threat, we must pass legislation to provide FDA with the authorities it needs to rid the market of tianeptine and other dangerous ingredients. I’m grateful to Congressman Pallone for working with me on this important legislation.”

Pallone sent a series of letters to stakeholders last month raising concern over the public health risks associated with ingestion of unlawfully marketed tianeptine.

According to FDA, tianeptine is a “potentially dangerous substance that is not FDA-approved for any medical use but is illegally sold with claims to improve brain function and treat anxiety, depression, pain, opioid use disorder and other conditions.” Tianeptine mimics the sedative effects of opioids and is sold in smoke shops, convenience stores and gas stations, which has led to its “gas station heroin” nickname. 

According to press reports, people quickly develop a tolerance to tianeptine, which can result in increased use and has driven increased dosages resulting in an alarming spike in the number of calls to poison control centers across the country.

Legislative text is available HERE.

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