GLG News Analyses of the following article:

Experts Seek Options on Painkiller Abuse

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Published at: www.topix.net

Anti-Abuse Drugs gain quicker FDA clearance, program implemented years ago.

March 20, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Opioids and other Controlled Substances have been abused for ages. Some time ago the FDA started to fast-track medications that are controlled substances including opioids that have formulas that block abuse potential.

David RosenbergChief of Psychiatry and PsychologyCHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF MICHIGAN

Prescribing Opioids Safely

March 20, 2007

1. Key to make sure that the physician is very experienced
2. When prescribed in appropriate doses for appropriate diagnosis, these medications are safe and effective.
3. Keeping patients in pain (e.g, who are in genuine pain) because of fears of addiction is unacceptable

Primary Care would welcome "non addictive" painkiller

March 19, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Currently primary care does not want to treat chronic pain due to abuse potential of drugs.

If a drug was available that would be effective in chronic pain management without abuse potential it would make access to chronic pain management available at the primary care level.

With the lack of abuse potential, patients who have just suffered through their pain might more frequently seek help.

Abuse resistant pain treatments

March 19, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

The article discusses the problem of pain medication abuse and briefly mentions several treatments under research.

Use opioid painkillers chronically and you will get addicted--no ands or buts

March 19, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

The notion that pain can be relieved with opioids indefinitely is not based in reality. Opioid pain medications that are currently available are mostly not effective chronically, yet the pharmaceutical industry is knocking itself out to make formulations that will achieve this goal. Yet, mostly they develop new formulations which are still prone to abuse.