Less Appeal, Less Problems
There may soon be a new drug available to treat pain, but less appealing to those who may be using it for a high.
According to a Bloomberg Businessweek article, Nektar Therapeutics is on an accelerated timeline with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to get its drug approved that will treat chronic to severe pain. The concept behind this drug being less attractive to potential addicts is that the effects it has on the brain are much slower than other pain medications.
With the number of people who abuse prescription pills on the rise, this is a welcomed move by the drug companies. If the drugs won’t provide the feeling that potential addicts are looking for, then they may not seek them out as readily to abuse.
Most of the other pain pills that are available have higher levels of effects quickly and while in the current pill form aren’t as dangerous, but when broken down or crushed, the slow release effect is eliminated.
The drug company in this particular case has indicated that even if the drug is crushed, it will still have a slow effect on the brain which is the key to taking the allure away from potential abusers.
While it seems insurmountable that the drug problem will ever be eradicated, there is comfort to know at least there are companies who understand the dangerous effects that these types of drugs have on their customers and are willing to make the necessary changes to try and decrease the number of individuals who are struggling with a prescription painkiller addiction.
