US pharma rejects ICER report into value of abuse-deterrent opioids

The industry-funded Alliance for Patient Access (AfPA) has dismissed a recently finalized ICER report critical of the value of abuse-deterrent opioid formulations (ADFs).

The document from the Institute of Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), an independent research group, says that the extra cost of ADFs has not been justified by evidence of efficacy, and recommends they be re-designated as ‘tamper-resistant.’

The AfPA, which is backed by 30 of the leading pharmaceutical and biotech firms, claims that clinicians and others view ADFs as an effective way to help curb opioid abuse without limiting access to patients with legitimate pain relief needs.