With a good news,the U.S. Food and Drug Association(FDA)approved the painkiller OxyContin for sick kids who ages 11 to 16 with pain “severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment,” according to a statement released on Aug. 14.
However,some experts are concerned about the approval might lead to drug misuse among children or their family members, who may have access to the drugs.On the contrary,the doctor,who treating dying children and those in chronic pain,adhere to the standpoint that the move will be a boon to many of their patients.
Some children can experience prolonged periods of substantial chronic pain from conditions like cancer,although thankfully uncommon,”said Dr. Chris Feudtner, director of the Department of Medical Ethics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who has no connection to the drug.In addition,he said,“For these patients, strong pain medications can offer tremendous relief.”
Although OxyContin, is just one of many painkillers on the market, it took particular criticism because representatives promised officials and doctors that the drug was safe and effective for patients with chronic pain. In actuality, its time-release formula made it more likely to result in abuse.
In 2007,OxyContin is made by Purdu Pharma, a drug company with a tarnished reputation after three of the company’s top executives pleaded guilty to misleading doctors, regulators and the public about OxyContin’s addiction risk.What’s more,the company agreed to pay $600 million in fines.
In 2010,the company developed an uncrushable tablet that was more difficult to snort or inject than the original.
“Children rarely get ‘hooked’ on these medications the way that adults can,” Feudtner said, noting that all strong pain medications have the potential be misused by friends or family members of the patient.
And as for the risk of opioid abuse by friends of family members, Zeltzer doesn’t think kids should suffer for adults’ mistakes. “Diverted use in adults doesn’t mean that children should be deprived of the proper studies and safety parameters.”
