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At HELP Committee Hearing, Senator Hassan Questions FDA on Designation of Certain Opioids as “Abuse Deterrent”

At HELP Committee Hearing, Senator Hassan Questions FDA on Designation of Certain Opioids as "Abuse Deterrent"

Senator Highlights Research Showing Many Doctors Mistakenly Consider Abuse Deterrent Drugs Less Addictive


Watch video of Senator Hassan's questioning during the HELP Committee hearing here.

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan participated in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing where she questioned an FDA official on the designation of certain opioids as "abuse deterrent" and pushed the FDA to engage in efforts to combat the substance misuse crisis. Senator Hassan pointed out that designating particular opioids as "abuse deterrent" is misleading because these products are just as addictive as other opioids.

Senator Hassan pressed Dr. Janet Woodcock, Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration, on the misleading designation, citing research that shows that 46% of primary care providers think that "abuse deterrent" products are less addictive than other opioids. The Senator asked, "Do you think calling these products 'abuse deterrent' is misleading, or causing providers to think that these products are less addictive?" Dr. Woodcock acknowledged the problem, stating, "It certainly seems as if more education is needed."

Senator Hassan also stressed the role of overprescribing in the heroin, fentanyl, and opioid crisis in New Hampshire and the state's efforts to push providers to change prescribing guidelines. As Governor of New Hampshire, Senator Hassan signed legislation requiring all prescribing boards to update prescribing rules for opioids to help prevent overprescribing of opioids that can lead to addiction and heroin and fentanyl use. During her time as Governor, Senator Hassan also helped bring a series of regional opioid education conferences to New Hampshire to improve education and training for providers responsible for prescribing opioids.

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