Gottlieb Suggests Congress Allow Exclusivity For Safer Pain Meds

Outgoing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb suggested Congress consider establishing incentives, including market exclusivity, to help drive development of safer pain medications. His suggestion came during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Thursday (March 28) during which he also said FDA should treat opioids as a distinct class of drugs and payers should favor the safest pain medication options. Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen took issue with Gottlieb’s suggestion for several reasons. The group specifically noted the National Academy of Medicine...