New Painkiller OKd for Cancer Patients
From Times Wire Reports
Cancer patients will soon have a powerful new way to fight severe pain: a raspberry-flavored “narcotic lollipop” loaded with a painkiller that can seep into the bloodstream faster than any pill. The prescription drug Actiq has been controversial because the white lozenge on a plastic stick looks like a lollipop. Critics fear it could entice children, with fatal consequences. The FDA approved Actiq despite the concerns because it provides the first way for cancer patients to control agonizing pain attacks at home. However, the government is requiring that the manufacturer, Anesta Corp., take strict steps to prevent misuse.
