It’s official. The FDA will NOT withdraw propoxyphene-containing drugs from the market. Known better as Darvon and Darvocet (with acetaminophen), these products stirred controversy when pharma watchdog groups petitioned for their recall, based upon their arguments and spin on adverse effects. The move is probably seen as a relief to pain specialists who routinely give such potent narcotics in their practice. With all of the recent brouhaha surrounding acetaminophen (Tylenol) and its current review, the fear of providers’ livelihood in the medical specialty of pain management has just been abated somewhat.

Kevin, MD has some great reportage on this issue. Essentially, the FDA’s new maxim of transparency and policy change for the benefit of public safety under new leadership has been a clarion call for third parties (mostly watchdogs) that desire greater restrictions to access to certain drugs. Pain agents, currently represented by Tylenol, are just the latest class of drugs in the groups’ crosshairs. Unsurprisingly, a different set of lobbying has emerged in this respect: physicians and pharma companies who have major stakes in their products’ availability. | LINK

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