Gov. Deval Patrick (D) announced prescribing and dispensing Zohydro would be barred in Massachusetts until the drug became more difficult to abuse. He supported the ban by recognizing the abuse of opioids, such as Zohydro, is increasing crime within Massachusetts, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Massachusetts isn’t the only state with concerns over the use of Zohydro. Gov. Peter Shumlin (R) of Vermont issued an emergency order earlier this month making it more difficult to prescribe Zohydro, although there is no complete ban on the drug in Vermont, according to the report.
While these state actions reflect growing concerns about prescription drug abuse, state pushback of this nature to the drug and to the FDA is unprecedented, according to the report.
As a result of the ban of Zohydro in Massachusetts, Zogenix, the pharmaceutical company that created Zohydro, filed a lawsuit against the governor seeking to declare the ban unconstitutional.
More Articles on State Legislative Actions:
Wisconsin Senate Passes Bill Making Medical Apologies Inadmissible
8 Recent Legislative and Legal Developments Involving Hospitals
Florida Bill Would Require Independent Physician Review of Medical Malpractice Cases
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
