FDA unlikely to pull conventional opioids

Opioid abuse-deterrence technology is in its "infancy" and FDA is unlikely to remove opioids that lack abuse-deterrence features from the market soon, Janet Woodcock, director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, told BioCentury.

In comments that will be broadcast Sunday on BioCentury This Week television, Woodcock said approved abuse-deterrent opioids are "version 1.0." FDA has approved three abuse-deterrent formulations, including Embeda morphine sulfate extended-release capsules with sequestered naltrexone from Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE); and reformulations of OxyContin oxycodone and Targiniq ER oxycodone/naloxone from Purdue Pharma L.P. (Stamford, Conn.) ...