Last week, the FDA approved Targiniq ER, an extended release / long acting opioid with abuse deterrent properties. In this case, the Purdue Pharma medication contains naloxone, which blocks the euphoric effects of the oxycodone when the pill is crushed and snorted (or crushed, dissolved, and injected).
I've posted thoughts along these lines before, but I'd like to remind everyone that abuse deterrent opioids are an excellent solution to a limited set of misuse and abuse issues posed by prescription analgesics.
I wish to be perfectly clear on this point: I am 100% supportive of abuse-deterrent formulations of prescription opioids. These formulations are effective in combating abuse and diversion (at least in the short-term - it seems drug addicts often find a way to crack the code of each newly formulated medication. But that doesn't mean we should stop trying, nor does it mean we should eliminate the economic incentive for the pharmaceutical companies to develop such technology).
To me, though, this conversation is a distraction. While eliminating abuse and diversion would be great for the work comp system, these aberrant behaviors are not driving the bulk of the problem. The vast majority of cases in which PRIUM intervenes involve legitimate prescriptions being taken as prescribed. Very little pill crushing. Very little intravenous injections. Very little drug dealing.
The problem as we see it is lack of medical necessity. In most cases, it doesn't matter if the patient's opioid is abuse-deterrent or not. If it's medically unnecessary, if it's leading to loss of function, if it's leading to dependence and addiction... it needs to go away. The doctor will be better educated. The patient will get better. The cost of care will go down. Everyone wins.
Abuse deterrent technology is great, but if we focus on technology over medical necessity, we will have missed the mark and the crisis will continue.
Michael
On Twitter @PRIUM1
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