FDA’s New Safety Plan for Opioids
The Food and Drug Administration has taken a stand against opioid abuse with their new safety measures.
This plan is a result of the fast growing prescription drug epidemic in the United States. Opioids are at the heart of this widespread debate, as they are prescribed for chronic pain, and sometimes over prescribed or abused because of their highly addictive qualities.
The abuse of common opioids such as OxyContin, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl have contributed to the increase in annual opioid related deaths. “In 2008, nearly 15,000 Americans died where opioids were involved. In 2009, that number went up to 16,000” according to the FDA.
In order to cut down on the abuse of these drugs the FDA has established guidelines for manufactures to better educate physicians.
“The education guidelines will include information on weighing the risks and benefits of opioid therapy, choosing patients appropriately, managing and monitoring patients, and counseling patients on the safe use of these drugs.”
For more information please read the full article HERE.
Other information provided by the FDA.
- Professional Medical
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