FDA to reevaluate the use of opiate medications

[Skel]

Currently there is a petition in front of the FDA to reevaluate the use of opiate medication. The group “Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing” or POST is requesting that the use and ability to prescribe the medicines be changed in an attempt to deal with the abuse that happens with these kind of medications. Currently the FDA is allowing public response to this petition.

You can read the petition and comment here.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-2012-P-0818-0001

It has many flaws, the most glaring is attempting to apply new label classifications of “noncancer” pain vs “cancer”. Doing that would suggest the doctor is to treat the same condition (something like a compression fracture) differently because of what caused it. Just because a tumor didn’t cause it doesn’t mean it hurts less.

They’ve also just chosen the dose and duration limits by random from what I’ve found, and have nothing to support it by scientific evidence. In fact during my research on this topic I found there are many examples where the doctors involved with POST ignore any data that conflicts with what they’re attempting to push.

An excellent and interesting article about this here, oddly the same site where they tell a chronic pain person he’s being a baby. ( in the comments on this article. http://www.salem-news.com/articles/september152012/big-pharma-death-ms.php )
Link to article.
http://salem-news.com/articles/september082012/controlling-opium-mdp.php

The American Academy of Pain Medicine has written a response here (It’s a PDF, but you can find their site at http://www.painmed.org )
http://www.painmed.org/aapm-response-to-prop-petition-press-release.pdf

While I strongly agree that there should be tight regulations on such medications, the proposed changes are a bit overreaching and will most likely take the medications out of the hands of people who really need it. I’ve dealt with a lot of people that deal with chronic pain, and it’s not their fault someone else abuses the medications. To punish them by saying it’s the medication’s fault that some idiot became an addict and killed themselves is insane to me.

 

[Genx87]

Just think it could be more advantageous from a pain management perspective to live in Afghanistan than the United States. What progress we are making.

 

[ichy]

Great, so now more patients with legitimate pain are going to be made to suffer in order to protect junkies from themselves.

 

[nehalem256]

While I strongly agree that there should be tight regulations on such medications, the proposed changes are a bit overreaching and will most likely take the medications out of the hands of people who really need it. I’ve dealt with a lot of people that deal with chronic pain, and it’s not their fault someone else abuses the medications. To punish them by saying it’s the medication’s fault that some idiot became an addict and killed themselves is insane to me.

This is what happens when you stop looking at addiction as a moral failing.

 

[davmat787]

Just think it could be more advantageous from a pain management perspective to live in Afghanistan than the United States. What progress we are making.

And the fact that we still rely upon this technology you speak of as our primary source of pain relief. I am very close to the issue of chronic pain (yea for chronic pain inducing diseases that can't be cured!), and will respond in kind once I have digested all of the links.

 

[K1052]

Doctors are already skittish about prescribing painkillers because of increased scrutiny. A couple years ago My then 60 year old dad fell and shattered the head of one of the bones in his elbow, they sawed the end off and screwed on a titanium replacement.

They sent him home with exactly three Vicodin and refused to provide Oxycontin (he knew from previous surgery that Vicodin had minimal effect on him) because they were afraid he was a pain med seeker. 24 hours later sweat was pouring off his face from the extreme pain. Fortunately we know another doctor who isn't a chickenshit and he gave him a script for the Oxy.

 

[CycloWizard]

I have an idea: why don't they let doctors decide what medication is best for their patients rather than micromanaging? I guess thousands of FDA employees have to show that they're doing something to justify their continued employment.

 

[hal2kilo]

Synthetic cananbinoids are looking promising as a new tool in pain management.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...3ICABQ&usg=AFQjCNHz2YXKZ_fwUrZkk5dwwcL6kDNniw

 

[Exterous]

Doctors are already skittish about prescribing painkillers because of increased scrutiny. A couple years ago My then 60 year old dad fell and shattered the head of one of the bones in his elbow, they sawed the end off and screwed on a titanium replacement.

They sent him home with exactly three Vicodin and refused to provide Oxycontin (he knew from previous surgery that Vicodin had minimal effect on him) because they were afraid he was a pain med seeker. 24 hours later sweat was pouring off his face from the extreme pain. Fortunately we know another doctor who isn't a chickenshit and he gave him a script for the Oxy.

Interesting. I had no problems getting Oxycontin but it is something I worry about. I find that Vicodin has no effect on pain but gives me a headache, makes me feel warm and it increases my heartrate. As such I always ask for something else. Sometimes I've gotten a skeptical look but after explaining why I haven't had any issues.

 

[Spungo]

Great, so now more patients with legitimate pain are going to be made to suffer in order to protect junkies from themselves.

Yeah but Real Men do not feel pain so I don't see what the issue is

I have an idea: why don't they let doctors decide what medication is best for their patients rather than micromanaging? I guess thousands of FDA employees have to show that they're doing something to justify their continued employment.

We can't do that in the US because our doctor are bribed by drug companies. They'll push any drug for any problem.

 

[Jaskalas]

Doctors are already skittish about prescribing painkillers because of increased scrutiny. A couple years ago My then 60 year old dad fell and shattered the head of one of the bones in his elbow, they sawed the end off and screwed on a titanium replacement.

They sent him home with exactly three Vicodin and refused to provide Oxycontin (he knew from previous surgery that Vicodin had minimal effect on him) because they were afraid he was a pain med seeker. 24 hours later sweat was pouring off his face from the extreme pain. Fortunately we know another doctor who isn't a chickenshit and he gave him a script for the Oxy.

Most people won't risk jail time or the end of their careers as the witch hunt comes down on them for prescribing "too much". The man put his life on the line to prescribe a painkiller, that's how bad it is in this nation.

 

[CycloWizard]

We can't do that in the US because our doctor are bribed by drug companies. They'll push any drug for any problem.

If the real problem is physician corruption, then address that problem and make the practice illegal. This is one of the biggest problems in this country today: we see one thing isn't working so, rather than address the underlying condition, we try to legislate a workaround. If we know the problem, then solve the problem rather than simply creating a new, artificial one.

 

[Kadarin]

Yep, look at how Rush Limbaugh got his meds, and shut down that avenue rather than deprive legitimate patients from pain relief.

 

[Skel]

Most people won't risk jail time or the end of their careers as the witch hunt comes down on them for prescribing "too much". The man put his life on the line to prescribe a painkiller, that's how bad it is in this nation.

This is what makes me angry enough to post about it. I'm closer to people in pain management then I'd ever thought I'd be, but the idea that a doctor is afraid to prescribe medication that could improve the quality of life for someone is insane.

To make matters worse now we have a group of people who won't even look at evidence that sometimes pain management is needed, are attempting to hijack the medical system by petitioning the FDA to remove the medications. Unless you have cancer, because there are too many people close to cancer patients (myself included) and won't let them suffer. No cancer though.. it must all be in your head, so here's some Advil.

 

[monovillage]

Periodically the FDA and the DEA go on witch hunts trying to find doctors that prescribe pain medication "too frequently" It's one of the problems with having out of control federal bureaucracies.

http://www.doctorsrights.com/blog/?p=12

but I'm a small government nutcase.

 

[OCGuy]

FDA is retarded.

 

[DCal430]

Strange things some states require a prescription for codeine a weak opioid but others allow it OTC with no prescription.

 

[Jhhnn]

This is what happens when you stop looking at addiction as a moral failing.

You're such a complete stick up the ass idiot.

More than a few seniors are clinically addicted to opiate meds, particularly those with degenerative bone disease and/or extreme rheumatoid/osteo arthritis. It's the only way they're free enough from constant pain to find any joy in life at all.

That's also true of some veterans who've been very badly injured along with accident victims.

Tolerance & physical dependence, addiction, are expected and entirely acceptable side effects in such scenarios.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

If the real problem is physician corruption, then address that problem and make the practice illegal. This is one of the biggest problems in this country today: we see one thing isn't working so, rather than address the underlying condition, we try to legislate a workaround. If we know the problem, then solve the problem rather than simply creating a new, artificial one.

With few exceptions pain meds are generic which are overwhelmingly prescribed. Piss poor way to be bribed.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Strange things some states require a prescription for codeine a weak opioid but others allow it OTC with no prescription.

Codeine by itself is a Schedule II medication with the exception a state may consider it Schedule V when below a certain concentration for cough control. In combination with acetaminophen it is a Schedule III because you'll kill yourself if you take too much.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Periodically the FDA and the DEA go on witch hunts trying to find doctors that prescribe pain medication "too frequently" It's one of the problems with having out of control federal bureaucracies.

http://www.doctorsrights.com/blog/?p=12

but I'm a small government nutcase.

Don't worry. Socialized medicine will kick government out of prescribing.

 

[Jhhnn]

Codeine by itself is a Schedule II medication with the exception a state may consider it Schedule V when below a certain concentration for cough control. In combination with acetaminophen it is a Schedule III because you'll kill yourself if you take too much.

Because the acetaminophen is the more toxic ingredient at the usual combination rate... it's the most common cause of drug induced liver disease & failure worldwide.

 

[Anarchist420]

It's so fucking ridiculous that life saving medications are kept out of the hands of people because the govt requires a prescription be written. Doctors offices are too busy because they're always required to write prescriptions. It also raises the cost of medicine. People can find out on the internet whether they need something FFS.

 

[waggy]

no suprise really. anyone that has chronic pain or knows anyone in chronic pain knows it has been headed this way for years.

they would rather have a person sufer in pain unable to do anything then risk them getting hooked. they keep talking about quality of life of addicts. yeah not being able to do a damn thing because you can't move is any better?

if you read some pain forums (yes there are some) you would be amazed what some people have to do. all it is doing is turning those that need it into criminals to they can survive the damn day

 

[Smoblikat]

Uhhhhhh............clearly these people have never needed morphine. When I went to the hospital I could barely walk due to the pain in my shoulder, 8 doses of morphine later I was able to incoherently talk. Seriously, at least get rid of amphetamines too. The abuse rate for children has only gone up as more and more doctors are diagnosing everyone with ADD.