US FDA welcomes new powers to confront opioid crisis

US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has welcomed the signing of new legislation that empowers agencies to take a range of actions to tackle the ongoing epidemic of opioid abuse in the country.

Leveraging new authorities granted under the so-called SUPPORT Act, Dr Gottlieb said the FDA would take immediate steps to reduce the scope of the crisis.

As well as acting to prevent the importation of illegal opioids, the agency would advance innovation in pain medicines that don’t have the same risks as opioids, and develop better treatments for those with opioid use disorder, he said.