FDA seeks removal of opioid painkiller from the market
Source: Washington Post
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday asked a drug company to remove its opioid pain medication from the market, the first time the agency has made such a request because of the public health consequences of abuse.
The agency concluded after an extensive review of Endo Pharmaceuticals Opana ER that the benefits of the drug may no longer outweigh its risks. The company reformulated the drug in 2012 to make it more difficult to snort, but the FDA said that move actually led to more injections and a major HIV outbreak.
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who has pledged to take more forceful steps to curb the nations opioid epidemic, said the agencys action reflects its increased focus on the risks posed by the illicit use of opioids. The FDA is looking broadly at the whole policy framework used for the painkillers, he said Thursday.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/fda-seeks-removal-of-opioid-painkiller-from-the-market/2017/06/08/590aa418-4c8c-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_fda-opioid-810pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.7d711eeae27c
luvMIdog
(2,533 posts)I think young drug users/abusers will still find their drugs in the street & this will only hurt the elderly and fragile people who are in bad pain. It might even cause a rise in the suicide rate of the elderly who do not want to live in agony.
get the red out
(13,459 posts)Punishment for sick people, and will do nothing about drug abuse. People hooked on opioids just move on to other drugs. Real solutions to drug abuse aren't to be found by taking medications from people medically in need of them.
CountAllVotes
(20,854 posts)Another one here.
Been in chronic pain since 1984 and it is getting worse as I age.
However, my RX for pain medications has not increased in almost 10 years now.
Am I an addict or am I sick?
Anyone with a disease that is eating away at their spinal cord and brain has a problem and often, PAIN is one of the many symptoms that go with it!
These SOBs don't get it until THEY GET IT! Damn them all for making sick people out to be criminals because they are just that, sick humand being trying their best to remain ambulatory and alive!
Delphinus
(11,808 posts)"Real solutions to drug abuse aren't to be found by taking medications from people medically in need of them."
Amen!
femmedem
(8,188 posts)I have a friend with cluster headaches, also known as suicide headaches because the pain is so severe. When she is in the throes of an attack, she sometimes posts on social media that she hopes people will understand if she opts out. I don't think she would still be here without her medication.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)luvMIdog
(2,533 posts)Aristus
(66,096 posts)There are plenty of them, and hospice care facilities will still have appropriate access to them.
The goal is to rid the market of as much pharmaceutical heroin as possible.
Responsible medical providers will still deal with pain issues according to standard of care.
anniebelle
(899 posts)I am 72 and have suffered from chronic pain for 32 years now. After 3 back surgeries, 2 broken legs which required titanium rods and screws into my knees, ruptured appendix and just two weeks ago had open incisional hernia repair (caused from the appendectomy). I live moment to moment in constant pain. My doctor is "allowed" to give me 3 hydrocodone tablets a day after I see him monthly at a cost of $170 per office visit. These pills barely relieve my pain enough to make me able to live on my own, get out of bed, get out of a chair after sitting for more than 5 minutes. I have friends who have tried to get me to try marijuana to give me some relief, but I ask you, how am I to find a 'drug' dealer ~ I wouldn't have a clue ~ my state (RED) doesn't 'believe' the hype about marijuana for pain relief. These people that do these drugs for fun are ruining it for those of us who truly need help.
Delphinus
(11,808 posts)to my Mom's story. In regard to suffering, I am glad she no longer is (she died six months ago). What is life like this?
bitterross
(4,066 posts)The drugs themselves are not the issue. This drug and every other drug can be taken off the market and the same behaviors by people will continue with substitutes.
I will very much oversimplify for brevity here. Please try to get the big picture argument here and not nitpick.
People abuse drugs (and alcohol IS A DRUG) to escape their reality. Our current culture of me first damn everyone else and you are either a winner or a loser is the bigger problem. Our economic and social structure no longer supports people being part of a community and nuclear family. People feel isolated, alone, not valued.
People do not have a support system of friends and family because everyone is so busy trying to be a "winner" or, at the very least, NOT a "loser." There is no space for acts of kindness and inclusion.
All of this leads people to the desire to escape from the seriously flawed societal model we currently have. Hence, the ever increasing abuse of drugs.
bluecollar2
(3,622 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)LiberalLoner
(9,761 posts)Dream Girl
(5,111 posts)Coventina
(26,874 posts)Soon, we'll be limited to aspirin, if that!
n2doc
(47,953 posts)The hillbillies will still get their oxy. Earlier this year I had a root canal on a cracked tooth. Tried to get something prescribed to cut the significant pain from it, could only get a vicodin substitute that did nothing except make me sick to my stomach and made my ears ring. I've had the real stuff in the past for kidney stones, but now people don't want to prescribe anything strong in case they get complaints from the feds.