A panel of FDA experts has concluded there’s little evidence that a revamped version of the highly addictive opioiod painkiller OxyContin—designed to discourage drug abuse—actually resulted in fewer overdoses or deaths. The drug, introduced by Purdue Pharma a decade ago, was said to be a harder-to-crush update of the firm’s best-selling, and highly addictive opioid that helped fuel the nation’s opioid epidemic. But the FDA now says the pills can still be misused by simply swallowing them, which remains the most frequent route among those with opioid addiction.
Meanwhile, in other FDA news, the agency has issued warning letters to 17 website operators for illegally selling unapproved and misbranded opioids that lack a prescription as well as adequate directions for use. As part of its crackdown on illegal opioid sales, the FDA warned consumers that the drugs have significant risks of addiction, abuse and misuse and can lead to overdose and death.
And finally, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has joined the parade of state leaders pushing for fast-track legalization of recreational marijuana—in her case, arguing that expected tax revenues should be used to fund Medicaid amid a corona virus-related budget shortfall. Grisham claims the state would rake in some $100 million annually—but critics point out that this includes existing medical pot revenue and estimates of a “mature” cannabis market in the future. She also fails to point out the increased costs the state would incur from easier access to the drug—including law enforcement, health care and hospitalization, and addiction treatment.