FDA releases overdose prevention framework  

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, announced a new framework aimed at preventing overdose-related deaths nationwide following an extensive review of the agency’s opioid regulations. The FDA Overdose Prevention Framework highlights four priority areas: primary prevention by eliminating unnecessary initial prescription drug exposure; harm reduction through innovation and education; development of evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders; and protection from unapproved, diverted or counterfeit drugs. The agency notes the actions under each framework are a mix of existing activities and exploratory work to test new strategies.