FDA Recommends Against Hydrocodone Rescheduling
The FDA announced that it will recommend that hydrocodone-containing products not be moved from Schedule III to Schedule II. DEA believes that rescheduling would reduce abuse of the drug. In recommending against rescheduling, the FDA said that more emergency room visits occur with oxycodone products than with hydrocodone. The FDA also expressed concern that movement of hydrocodone-containing products to Schedule II could lead to the use of more NSAID products as well as Schedule II opioid products. NCPA will be providing testimony opposing the rescheduling of hydrocodone containing products when the FDA holds a public hearing regarding this topic in the future.