Groups Seek to Revoke Narcotic Approval

More than 40 medical and consumer groups are seeking to revoke the recent approval of a new narcotic pill. The drug is Zohydro, a long-acting version of the narcotic hydrocodone. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug in October. The decision went against the advice of the FDA’s own advisory committee. These experts had voted 11-2 against allowing sale of Zohydro. The FDA usually follows the advice of its advisory panels. The groups that filed the petition with the FDA said this new painkiller is too dangerous. The dose is high, and so is the potential for abuse, they said. The petition also said there’s no need for another high-dose prescription narcotic. Public Citizen, one of the groups, said in a news release that a single dose of Zohydro could kill a child. The petitioners also include addiction treatment and other consumer watchdog groups.