From the office of Sen. Roger Marshall

Marshall urges DEA to ban potent opioid sold at gas stations

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall is pressing federal drug enforcement officials to emergency schedule a dangerous synthetic opioid being marketed as a dietary supplement to young people.

In a letter sent Tuesday to Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terrence Cole, the Kansas Republican asked the agency to classify 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) as a Schedule I controlled substance, citing what he called deceptive marketing practices.

The substance, which Marshall said is 13 times more potent than morphine, is being sold at gas stations, smoke shops and online in the form of gummies, drink mixes and tablets. He warned that the products are being specifically marketed to children and young people who may be unaware of the substance's addictive properties.

"Parents need to know that there are no FDA-approved 7-OH products," Marshall said in a statement. "Yet companies continue to sell them without regulation."

The Food and Drug Administration has already taken action, issuing seven warning letters to companies for deceptive marketing and the illegal distribution of products containing 7-OH, according to Marshall. The FDA has also recommended classifying the substance as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Marshall said the DEA has authority under the Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to act quickly by temporarily scheduling 7-hydroxymitragynine products and their analogues.

Marshall reminds Kansans of Medicare enrollment deadlines

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall is urging Kansans to review their Medicare plans during the federal government's annual open enrollment period, which runs through Dec. 7.

The enrollment window, which began Oct. 15, gives Medicare recipients the opportunity to make changes to their 2026 coverage. Marshall's office highlighted several key dates for beneficiaries to keep in mind.

Drug prices for 10 of the highest-cost medications, including Eliquis and Jardiance, will decrease Jan. 1, 2026, Marshall said. Those currently enrolled in automatic monthly drug payment plans have until Dec. 31 to opt out of automatic reenrollment.

"Check your annual notice and prescriptions to identify any changes," Marshall advised in a statement. "If you are happy with your plan, be cautious about changing it."

The Kansas senator's office also provided information about the three Medicare enrollment periods: the Initial Enrollment Period, which occurs once in a person's lifetime around their 65th birthday; the Fall Open Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7; and Special Enrollment Periods available under certain circumstances.

Kansans seeking assistance with enrollment can contact Senior Health Insurance Counselors for Kansas at 1-800-633-4227 or Marshall's office at (785) 829-9000.