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

Washington, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) 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, including 27 in New Jersey.

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. Pallone is the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health policy, including FDA issues. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) will introduce the companion legislation in the Senate.

"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' toprotect consumers," 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 recently held a press conference in Edison to call for action to protect New Jerseyans from the drug. In a series of letters last month, Pallone also raised 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. Anyone who has been exposed to tianeptine should call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 for immediate medical attention.

A copy of the bill text is available here.