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Possible Suboxone Alternatives

March 5, 2013

There have been a number of events over the past couple weeks that have been 'game changers' in the efforts by Reckitt Benckiser to hang onto their profitable treatment for opioid dependence, Suboxone. Reckitt Benckiser asked the FDA to deny any future generic drugs based on Suboxone tabs because of deaths of several chldren, who might have confused the tabs for candy.

The FDA considered Reckitt Benckiser's comments but discarded them, stating that the efforts by Reckitt Benckiser may have been unlawful anticompetetive marketing. The FDA wrote that they were referring their concerns about unlawful marketing to the FTC.

The FDA approved two generic versions of Suboxone. Then the FDA announced that they will be holding hearings to determine whether to approve a buprenorphine implant called Probuphine. The manufacturers of Probuphine are hoping that the medication will be used to treat opioid dependence. Not mentioned at this point, is whether the implant could help people who would like to discontinue Suboxone. Many patients on Suboxone become resentful of the medication at some point, wishing they could be completely free from opioids.

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