Opioid epidemic and the urge to discover new treatment options

The primary tools to alleviate the opioid epidemic in the USA include strict Federal and State laws on opioid prescriptions, tracking opioid medications, accountability of the opioid manufacturers and physicians, as well as boosting public awareness. Although abuse-deterrent opioids have in part lowered the incidence of opioid abuse, many post-marketing studies are still pending and some products have been recalled or terminated. Moreover, some studies show that the current deterrent opioid products might potentially force the abusers to seek more-powerful and deadly illicit drugs that can lead to toxicity and hepatitis C infections. Along with all the positive developments, there remains a strong need to discover and develop nonaddictive opioids and comparable non-opioid alternatives for acute pain management.

Automated summary

The primary tools to alleviate the opioid epidemic in the USA include strict laws on opioid prescriptions, tracking opioid medications, and boosting public awareness. While abuse-deterrent opioids have helped lower opioid abuse, there are still pending post-marketing studies and some products have been recalled or terminated. There is a strong need for nonaddictive opioids and alternative non-opioid options for acute pain management.