Opioids

FDA’s risk mitigation programs for fentanyl and extended-release opioids are not suited to quickly address the opioid crisis, according to the HHS Office of Inspector General, which released a report Tuesday (Sept. 29) recommending the agency improve the programs.

Experts at the Commonwealth Fund who analyzed data for the group’s annual state scorecard say the results show the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed existing weaknesses in the health care system, including eroding coverage, persistent high costs and preventable deaths, that state and federal governments must partner to fix.

FDA will require drug makers to include naloxone co-prescribing information in labeling for all opioids and opioid use disorder medications, including buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone, the agency announced Thursday (July 23).

Four long overdue Medicaid guidance documents meant to help states tackle the nation’s opioid crisis are still missing, months after CMS and HHS officials promised the House Energy & Commerce health subcommittee in early March they’d get the guidance out sometime this spring.

FDA and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on Monday (June 8) launched a 120-day pilot program under which FDA will work with internet registries to flag and take action against any website that sells unapproved opioids online.

A federal committee tasked with coordinating government actions on substance use disorders met for the first time Friday (Feb. 28) and heard presentations from various government agencies on what they are doing to tackle the nation’s drug overdose crisis.

In March, FDA’s newly established Controlled Substances Program will launch its Opioid Data Warehouse, which will allow the agency to integrate diverse data sources and enhance data analysis to pinpoint trends and new developments in the opioid crisis, FDA Deputy Center Director for Regulatory Programs Doug Throckmorton said Wednesday (Feb. 12).

A leading telehealth company and health plans suggest closing the gap on access to mental and behavioral health services is a top priority for virtual care in 2020 as they continue to adjust telehealth services to consumers’ needs and push lawmakers to pass legislation expanding access to such services.

The House Oversight & Reform Committee is already probing the Trump administration’s national drug strategy that was released Monday (Feb. 4), continuing the work of the late Chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD) who last year questioned the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) on what he called an inadequate strategy.