Senators Ask FDA to Pull High-Dosage Opioids

Three Democratic senators urged the FDA to remove several high-dosage forms of opioids from the market.

In a letter to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, Sens. Ed Markey (Ma.), Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Joe Manchin (W.V.) called for dosages such as OxyContin’s 80mg tablet to be removed from the market. Several stakeholders including the health commissioners of several states made similar requests in a citizen petition.

The senators noted problems associated with accidental ingestion or recreational uses are a particular concern with such dosages. They said individuals most in need of such drugs, such as cancer and palliative care patients, would still be able to receive the high levels they need with other formulations.