The Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to curb the use of prescribed painkillers has quickly become a topic of huge media speculation. A debate focusing on the pros and cons of this verdict has been sparked between the drug-selling companies, health providers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  While few health providers argue that this might have serious consequences on patients suffering from acute pain, others believe that this is an attempt to reduce the increasing number of deaths caused due to the abuse of household painkillers.

According to the CDC, painkiller overdose death rates have more than tripled since the 1990. In 2009, abuse of prescription painkillers was the major reason behind all 475,000 emergency department visits across the nation.  Hydrocodone-the main ingredient behind most household painkillers included in the variety of opioid narcotics, is seen as the dominant cause for the increasing number of deaths.  In the past, hydrocodone was classified as a low-risk drug that permitted doctors to prescribe it over phone, and allowed patients to use it for a period of six months on a single prescription. Although, these rules eased the access to the drug and pushed the sales to new heights, it additionally fueled the widespread dependence and related deaths.

Last week, almost after a decade and a half of careful cross-examination, the FDA took a step forward to reduce the harmful effects of the drug. The new proposal eliminates the conveniences of prescribing painkilling drug. It reclassifies Hydrocodone under Schedule II drugs, thus bar phone-in prescriptions and place a 90-day limit on refills.  Most opponents of FDA’s decision complain that this will force ailing patients to schedule more frequent visits to the doctors, which might prove to be burdensome for most middle-income families. In response to this, FDA reaffirms that a change in regulations for Hydrocodone containing drug supply was absolutely necessary as it kills more people than any other forms of narcotics.

Controlling substance abuse has always posed a challenge for the FDA, and extension of this malpractice into the prescribed drug sector; could lead to results much more uglier than ever imagined. In my personal opinion, the FDA’s recent drug restrictions should be applauded as this initiative could save lives and mitigate the overall narcotic abuse rates. Hydrocodone supplying companies could experience an initial down surge in sale revenue, but that should not lead them to undermine the dangers of selling the drug.  It is time for drug-selling giants to realize and act on their social responsibilities.

[CDC]

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Featured image courtesy of [Eric Norris via Flickr]

Tanzoom Ahmed

Tanzoom Ahmed is a graduate of George Mason University with a Master of Public Policy. Contact Tanzoom at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

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