Industry News

• December 29, 2011
  FDA approves shared system REMS for TIRF products (FDA.gov)
  

  From FDA.gov: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a single shared Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for the transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl (TIRF) products. This new shared system will replace the individual REMS and allow prescribers and pharmacies to enroll into just one system, easing the burden on the health care system.

  
  

  Tagged with: FDA, fentanyl, REMS

  
  
• December 27, 2011
  New powerful painkiller has abuse experts worried (Associated Press)
  

  From the Associated Press: Drug companies are working to develop a pure, more powerful version of a highly abused medicine, which has addiction experts worried that it could spur a new wave of abuse.

  
  

  Tagged with: drug abuse, hydrocodone, opioids, painkillers

  
  
• December 5, 2011
  Stratify Patients for Opioid Misuse and Abuse Risk (Family Practice News)
  

  From Family Practice News: Do you know which of your patients is likely to misuse or abuse opioid medications?

  
  

  Tagged with: family practice, opioids, pain medication monitoring

  
  
• November 28, 2011
  More help sought to fight opioid abuse (amednews.com)
  

  From amednews.com: At November’s Interim Meeting of the American Medical Association, the House of Delegates directed the AMA to increase attention to efforts aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse.

  
  

  Tagged with: american medical association, education, Legislation, opioids, prescription drug abuse

  
  
• November 22, 2011
  Georgia trying to control pill mills (AJC)
  

  From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The number of “pill mills” is growing in Georgia and deaths from opioids are rising. Some in the state are seeking a new law to impose regulations on pain management clinics.

  
  

  Tagged with: Georgia, Legislation, opioid abuse, pain clinics, pill mills