More than one hundred Americans die each day from an opioid overdose, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Drugmakers have been part of the problem, but some hope to be part of a solution.
Several companies are focusing on creating abuse-deterrent opioids and others are looking for new mechanisms of action to treat pain without addiction. Still others are working on treatments for those Americans who are already battling addiction.
At the same time, payers are tapping into the vast amounts of data available to flag those patients who are at highest risk of abusing opioids.
In its latest spotlight, BioPharma Dive explored the industry's efforts to develop non-opioid approaches to treating pain and deterring abuse. Read more in five of our deep dives:
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Lilly's bet on pain stands out amid bare pharma pipeline
Even as the opioid epidemic has heightened the need for non-addictive painkillers, few pharma companies have made pain a therapeutic area of focus. Read More »
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Abuse deterrents still finding their niche in the pain space
Hard-to-abuse opioids haven't been on the market for very long, and whether they have staying power amid a public health crisis remains an open question. Read More »
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Opioid antagonists vs. agonists: A battle to fight addiction
With no end in sight to the opioid crisis, treatments to help people suffering from addiction are taking center stage but still face stigma. Read More »
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In push to use pot for pain, synthetics hold upper hand
The first plant-derived cannabinoid drug faces an FDA advisory panel meeting in April. If approved, it could swing the door to the cannabis market wide open. Read More »
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Payers use data to flag those at greatest risk of opioid abuse
The idea is to pinpoint patients most likely to become addicted and help prevent opioid abuse before it starts. Read More »