“Unapproved” Morphine Remains in Market
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has decided to leave a liquid form of morphine on the market for terminally ill patients, even though the drug officially has not been approved. “While the FDA remains committed to ultimately ensuring that all prescription drugs on the market are FDA approved, we have to balance that goal with flexibility and compassion for patients who have a few alternatives for the alleviation of their pain,” Dr. Douglas Throckmorton, deputy director of the FDA’s Center for drug Evaluation and Research, said Thursday. The federal agency made its decision after consulting with hospital and hospice organizations, which feared that taking the product off the market would result in hardship for terminally ill patients and their caregivers, CNN reports. Thus, the agency decided to extend the usage of morphine sulfate oral solution 20 mg/ml. The FDA did not want to leave sick patients without a comparable alternative while they wait for something to be approved, according to CNN. “In light of the concerns raised by these patients and their health-care providers, we have adjusted our actions with regard to these particular products.”
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