Before I begin this column, I need to provide the disclosure that I sit on the Safe Use Advisory Board for Zogenix, the maker of Zohydro ER. I was chosen for this board to help advise Zogenix on how to prevent diversion when the company can, and how to deal with it if and when it occurs.
That being said, as I write this some incredible things are happening and being reported in the news that I believe are unprecedented. Even though the FDA approved Zohydro ER, a CII extended-release hydrocodone-only product with no current abuse-resistant properties, a few politicians have decided to either ban the drug in their state through executive order or to introduce legislation to do the same. All of this is being done for a drug that has barely been in the marketplace for 30 days. [Read more…]