The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Drug Enforcement Administration “has again asked the FDA to consider tightening prescribing and other rules on hydrocodone drugs.” The FDA will hold hearings on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 to consider whether to move hydrocodone products from schedule III to the highly regulated “schedule II” class under which narcotics such as OxyContin (oxycodone) fall. In a briefing document released as background material, FDA scientists said that although “patients taking hydrocodone products might develop moderate or low physical dependence, they would not be expected to develop addiction.” However, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Deputy Director Dr. Douglas Throckmorton said an analysis conducted internally by scientists at the agency does not reflect the FDA’s “official stance.” He said the agency will refrain from making recommendations until after it has reviewed testimony and received a recommendation from the independent advisory committee, which scheduled the two-day hearing.
From the American Association for Justice news release.
