Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc (ELTP)

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Another voice calling for opioid addiction help:

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/07/05/opinion-make-pain-pills-harder-abuse/29737341/

Prescription drug abuse in America has been called an epidemic. As a dually trained physician who sees addicted individuals in my chemical dependency practice and in the emergency department, I can attest that this is true. Increasing the use of abuse deterrent formulations (ADF) in prescription pain relievers is one of many approaches that could help address the problem.

It's estimated 100 million Americans suffer significant chronic pain. Millions also suffer severe acute pain from trauma, surgery or other causes. Opioid pain pills can improve the quality of sufferers' lives when properly prescribed, used and monitored. However, when abused, prescription opioids can cause or support serious addiction.

People who abuse opioids will usually crush the pill and then snort the powdery substance, or melt the pill and then inject the liquid form. These methods enable the opioid to work faster, providing the dopamine release or "rush" that patients with substance use disorder crave and reinforcing addictive behavior. If it is harder to crush or melt a pill, its attractiveness to a patient with addiction is lessened. Studies have confirmed this.

Drug manufacturers have begun introducing abuse deterrent formulas (ADF) that make the pill nearly impossible to crush or to melt. These technologies won't stop abuse, but they can be part of a multifaceted approach to addressing the problem. But we still need coordinated public policy to support this solution.

First, the FDA should consider not approving any opioid painkiller – brand name or generic drugs – without an ADF. There's really no deterrent if it's easy to get a different pill that's easily abused. Painkillers with ADF need to be broadly available. There is wide support for this among law enforcement organizations and substance abuse experts.

Second, states should insist health insurers cover medications with ADF. Some will pay for an opioid painkiller that's easily modified, but deny coverage for the same drug with ADF because it's more expensive. This wouldn't be a problem if pain pills remained with the patient for whom they were prescribed, but an estimated 70 percent of pain medications abused are stolen from a friend or family member.

The Ohio State Medical Association and other physician groups have urged members to educate themselves about these newer formulations. While a few unethical providers overprescribe opioids, many conscientious physicians hesitate to prescribe prescription painkillers because of the perceived stigma and potential for abuse. Educated providers who in turn educate their patients can help ensure that people with pain get treatment without contributing to the addiction problem.

More people die from overdosing on prescription painkillers than from heroin and cocaine overdoses combined. One was a good friend of mine, someone in addiction recovery who relapsed and died after injecting himself with a prescription pain medication. So I am an advocate of abuse deterrent formulations. If they were more widespread, there is a chance my friend would not have lost his life.

As I work each shift in the emergency department, I see an ever-increasing number of patients struggling with opioid abuse. Without question, broader availability of medications with ADF is one step that can help us stem the tide.