Several states have protested FDA's approval of hydrocodone drug Zohydro ER based on concerns that a lack of abuse-deterrent features creates a higher-than-acceptable risk of abuse. In March, attorneys general from six states sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking her to overturn FDA's approval of Zohydro ER. Last week, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced that Zohydro ER may not be sold in the state because its current form does not guard against potential conversion to rapid release. According to Reuters, the manufacturer of Zohydro called the state's ban misguided and noted that other painkillers without abuse-resistant technologies are already on the market. This letter follows similar requests by other state attorneys general and proposals by federal legislators to reverse the drug's regulatory approval.
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