The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Drug Enforcement Administration “has again asked the FDA to consider tightening prescribing and other rules on hydrocodone drugs.” The FDA will hold hearings on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 to consider whether to move hydrocodone products from schedule III to the highly regulated “schedule II” class under which narcotics such as OxyContin (oxycodone) fall. In a briefing document released as background material, FDA scientists said that although “patients taking hydrocodone products might develop moderate or low physical dependence, they would not be expected to develop addiction.” However, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Deputy Director Dr. Douglas Throckmorton said an analysis conducted internally by scientists at the agency does not reflect the FDA’s “official stance.” He said the agency will refrain from making recommendations until after it has reviewed testimony and received a recommendation from the independent advisory committee, which scheduled the two-day hearing.
From the American Association for Justice news release.
The FDA needs to leave pain killers alone people who really need this drug that live in pain every day of their life depend on this drug. The FDA needs to spend more time fighting much more other problems we have and leave peoples pain meds alone
I agree there are many other important tasks the FDA needs to do. But I have seen far too many clients and even friends who have become addicted to Hydrocodone, some to the point of criminal prosecution for forging prescriptions. I think this is a change the FDA should make.