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from the need-more-opioids-to-fight-the-opioid-epidemic dept.
FDA approves powerful new opioid in 'terrible' decision
The Food and Drug Administration approved a powerful new opioid Friday, despite strong criticism and accusations that it bypassed its own advisory process to do it.
The new drug, Dsuvia, is a tablet that goes under the tongue. It is designed for use in the battlefield and in other emergency situations to treat intense, acute pain.
Known generically as sufentanil, it's a new formulation of a drug currently given intravenously. Critics say it will be incredibly easy for health workers to pocket and divert the drug to the illicit drug market and because it is so small and concentrated, it will likely kill people who overdose on it.
"This is a dangerous, reckless move," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe senior adviser of Public Citizen's Health Research Group. He questions whether there's need for yet another synthetic opioid when the U.S. is in the throes of an opioid overdose crisis.
Sufentanil is described as 5 to 10 times more potent than fentanyl and 500 times as potent as morphine. Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, but is only approved for the veterinary use of tranquilizing large animals. Sufentanil is the strongest opioid painkiller available for use in humans.
Cannabis and kratom? Exercise caution!
Also at STAT News, NPR, and The Hill.
See also: People on front lines of epidemic fear powerful new drug Dsuvia
Related:
Opioid Addiction is Big Business
Heroin, Fentanyl? Meh: Carfentanil is the Latest Killer Opioid
Study: Legal Weed Far Better Than Drug War at Stopping Opioid Overdose Epidemic
President Trump Declares the Opioid Crisis a National Emergency
Study Finds Stark Increase in Opioid-Related Admissions, Deaths in Nation's ICUs
FDA Blocks More Imports of Kratom, Warns Against Use as a Treatment for Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid Commission Drops the Ball, Demonizes Cannabis
U.S. Life Expectancy Continues to Decline Due to Opioid Crisis
FDA Labels Kratom an Opioid
Two More Studies Link Access to Cannabis to Lower Use of Opioids
"Synthetic Opioids" Now Kill More People than Prescription Opioids in the U.S.
U.S. Opioid Deaths May be Plateauing
(Score: 5, Interesting) by takyon on Sunday November 04 2018, @06:30AM (1 child)
The Trump administration has pretty much failed in this regard. Lackluster responses to the opioid crisis with no consideration of legalizing everything, or at least using cannabis to counter opioids [soylentnews.org]. Jeff Sessions may be one of the biggest obstacles to trying a new approach, but has made himself politically unfireable. A neat trick.
Democrats seem to be finally pushing for cannabis legalization, but talk is very cheap when they don't control the Presidency, House, or Senate. They still have plenty of time to do a 180° or foot drag later. Even if they do reschedule cannabis, there is no way they would abolish/reform the DEA or Controlled Substances Act. "Legalize everything" is a fringe idea, even if it makes sense. Democrats would be afraid of alienating voters or looking weak on crime.
That's all before we consider how the alcohol and pharmaceutical industries may fight to preserve the status quo.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2, Informative) by realDonaldTrump on Sunday November 04 2018, @04:10PM
WRONG! Last month I signed -- very proudly -- the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. Which many people are saying is MONUMENTAL. And will be monumental. Jimmy Carroll of my ONDCP says it's "MEANINGFUL." Even my enemies like Paul Ryan have had to admit that it's magnificent. And that one is very BIPARTISAN, some of our Obstructionist Dems got on board the Trump Train for that one. Senator Coons, Senator Markey, Sen. Klobuchar and many more. Great work by our House & Senate. And a beautiful signature by me -- one of my best. Very careful with that one, I wanted it to be PERFECTO for the beautiful folks in West Virginia. In Ohio. And all across our great Country. America First!!! whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/wtas-support-president-donald-j-trumps-signing-landmark-opioid-legislation [whitehouse.gov] whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/ondcp-deputy-director-james-carrolls-statement-regarding-passage-support-patients-communities-act-h-r-6 [whitehouse.gov]