To Help Curb Opioid Crisis, FDA Head Wants To Promote Medication-Assisted Treatment
The FDA will issue guidance for development of new MAT options, promote efforts to decrease stigma surrounding use of medication in treating substance use disorder, and take further steps to promote use of existing therapies, Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said.
The Washington Post:
FDA’s Gottlieb Calls For Greater Use Of Medication-Assisted Treatment To Fight Opioid Epidemic
Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, called Wednesday for the expanded use of medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction, saying they could reduce overdoses and deaths. During a House hearing on the federal response to the opioid epidemic, Gottlieb said the agency will issue new guidance to manufacturers to promote the development of novel therapies, including ones that treat a wider range of symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines drugs and counseling to combat addiction. (McGinley, 10/25)
Bloomberg:
FDA Aims To Destigmatize Drugs As Treatment For Opioid Addiction
Some in the medical community, including former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, have looked down on using drugs to treat addiction to other drugs, instead favoring an approach that emphasizes changing behavior. Insurance companies have also been reluctant to cover drug-assisted therapy. (Edney, 10/25)
Stat:
Gottlieb Makes Push To Fight Opioids With Medication-Assisted Treatment
“To tackle the treatment gap, FDA is planning to convene experts and stakeholders to discuss the evidence of treatment benefits at the population level — such as studies that show community-wide reductions in overdose following expansion of access to therapy,” Gottlieb said. (Facher, 10/25)
The Washington Post:
Lawmakers To DEA: Use More Legal Muscle Against Opioids
Lawmakers urged the Drug Enforcement Administration to seek more legal authority if it is needed to battle the nation’s opioid epidemic, telling an official they are awaiting suggestions on how they can help stem the worst drug crisis in U.S. history. “Give us suggestions. Talk to us. We want to do the right thing,” Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.) implored at a hearing held Wednesday by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “We need to know the tools that you need to handle this. We’re on the same team with regard to this.” (Bernstein and Higham, 10/25)