Non-Opioid Pain Relievers Get Push in FDA Guide for Drugmakers

The FDA is pushing drugmakers to develop non-addictive opioid alternatives for treating pain, marking the latest move in a government-wide effort to curb rising overdose numbers across the country.

Draft guidance released Wednesday aims to help companies navigate the review process for non-opioid acute pain medications and spells out how to best measure their efficacy in development. It also lays out how to promote through labeling that their products may reduce opioid use.

Drugmakers and others have until April 11 to weigh in on the Food and Drug Administration’s proposal. The guidance is part of a requirement of the SUPPORT ...