Authority potentially curbing new opioid approvals may become part of the US Food and Drug Administration’s effort to fight the ongoing epidemic.
Opioid Approval Standards Could Change Under New US FDA Plan
The Overdose Prevention Framework includes considering whether FDA should require new opioids show superior safety compared to existing products.

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The chair of a European Medicines Agency working group on reducing animal testing said that companies can provide “thoughts and suggestions” in relation to a review of its scientific guidelines on regulatory testing requirements and new approach methodologies.
The former principal deputy commissioner said the “decapitation” of senior leadership will make resolving internal disputes more difficult, which will slow application reviews. Woodcock also called the FDA layoffs a slow-moving catastrophe.
A risk-based approach to human cell therapies and tissue-based products could incentivize development and prevent bad actors from taking advantage of the current FDA system.
US FDA Commissioner nominee Martin Makary is being embraced by industry, and Senate Democrats, as a more traditional pick than other Trump Administration nominees, but the Make America Healthy Again agenda still is clearly coming to the agency.
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The former principal deputy commissioner said the “decapitation” of senior leadership will make resolving internal disputes more difficult, which will slow application reviews. Woodcock also called the FDA layoffs a slow-moving catastrophe.
Mass FDA layoffs on 1 April were designed to spare product reviewers, but still touched many who are critical to the application review process or drug development, which could mean fewer treatments are brought to the US market first.
The Brazilian medicines regulator will also offer more clarity on the requirements for radiopharmaceuticals that are exempt from registration.