Twilight Of The Opioids? Label Updates, Review Changes May Have Less Impact Than Shrinking Pipeline

Many prescribers don’t read drug labels, meaning they may not see the new warnings and recommendations in the immediate- and extended-release opioid labels, says Brandeis’ Kolodny. Meanwhile, as the Senate advances a bill that would allow comparative review of opioids, they make up a smaller amount of the drug development landscape.

opioid bottles
Many of the pain medications in development are not opioids. • Source: Shutterstock

The US Food and Drug Administration continues to lean on providers to change their prescribing habits with newly implemented opioid labeling changes, but whether the message will reach them remains uncertain.

Language added to the immediate-release opioid label states that the product “should be prescribed only by health care professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks

Key Takeaways
  • Several new opioid labeling changes mandated earlier this year have now been implemented.

  • Some speak to clinicians, but may not resonate because labels are not widely read

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