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The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new opioid called Dsuvia, a thousand times more powerful than morphine and ten times more potent than fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that has been associated with the recent increase in overdose deaths.
The introduction of a new opioid, while the epidemic of opioid abuse continues to worsen, poisons and worries drug prevention and treatment experts in New Jersey.
"There is no doubt that we are extremely concerned that a drug of this magnitude could fall into the wrong hands," said Angelo Valente, executive director of the New Jersey Drug Free Partnership.
He added that the fact that the FDA adds this drug "to an already dangerous situation where we have so many opiates, we do not understand why this type of medication is even necessary."
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a statement that strict restrictions would be in place for Dsuvia. It will only be used in hospitals and other medical facilities and will not be available in pharmacies. But Valente pointed out that "there is always a risk when you have a particular drug available, it would be hijacked".
Dsuivia, or sufentanil, is manufactured by AcelRx Pharmaceuticals. The company has stated that its "single-tablet and mono-tablet packages are designed to mitigate the possibility of mis-dosing, misuse and diversion".
"We are committed to administering Dsuvia safely and effectively by diligently adhering to our FDA approved risk assessment and evaluation program," said Vince Angotti, president of the company. AcelRx, in a statement announcing its approval.
Don Parker, President of the Carrier Clinic, said that Dsuvia is synthetic "and that it does not take many traffickers involved in the production of illicit drugs to deconstruct anything." They will reverse engineer to the point of being able to produce it. "
He also noted that Dsuvia tablets are small enough to be easily transported and distributed.
"We think there will be a frenzy for this because it promises a much stronger top," Parker said.
"It's not a good day for us on treatment, law enforcement and certainly not for drug addicts. You talk about a higher degree of toxicity and lethality, there will be a lot of hindsight in our industry. "
Paul Ressler, president of the Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation in Hamilton, is also concerned.
"I'm nervous about it. The mere fact that the FDA approves it is not a viable way to fight the epidemic, it's scary, I think it's a mistake, "said Ressler," She'll be out on the streets. " is not so, that's when, and it will become a very popular medicine to take. "
Ressler also said the FDA had a less than stellar record.
"They ruined everything with the way they managed their drug management, so why would we think they would? I am against the idea. "
Valente has described as alarming recent projections that New Jersey could reach 3,000 opioid overdose deaths by the end of the year.
"We are very concerned about adding anything that could be even more powerful and powerful," he said.
Dsuvia has a number of serious side effects, including exhaustion, breathing problems, possible coma and death.
You can contact the reporter David Matthau at [email protected]
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