Opioid Epidemic

FDA Approves Slow-Release Painkiller

Published November 21, 2014 at 1:35 PM EST

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This product image provided by Purdue Pharma shows Hysingla, the first hard-to-abuse version of the painkiller hydrocodone. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 approved Hysingla, a once-a-day tablet for patients with severe, round-the-clock pain that cannot be managed with other treatments. (Purdue Pharma via AP)

The FDA has approved a new opioid painkiller that releases over a 24-hour period, and is designed to reduce abuse by people chewing or smashing it into a powder for injection. However, the agency admits that abuse and overdose of the drug Hysingla is still possible.

Michael Regan of Bloomberg News spoke to Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson about the new drug.

Guest

Michael Regan, editor for Bloomberg News. He tweets @Reganonymous.