“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave final approval for the first non-opioid drug shown to lessen the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Meanwhile, President Trump signed into law groundbreaking “right to try” legislation allowing the terminally ill to explore unapproved medical treatments as a last resort.
In light of these developments, researchers and advocates of the botanical Kratom were hopeful for increased support for the study of the herb as a new treatment for opioid withdrawal symptoms, acute and chronic pain, and a range of mood disorders.
Instead the FDA has spoken out against Kratom, ignoring a history of safe use and existing research. By overstating safety concerns, the FDA has dismissed any possibility that Kratom might have benefits.
Advocacy groups and researchers who have studied Kratom for years argue that this is not the time to be closing the door on any possible new treatments or preventions. With daily fatalities due to opioids exceeding those from automobile accidents, it is clear that new approaches and solutions to the opioid epidemic are needed.
Read more at: http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/395944-heres-why-we-must-continue-to-study-kratom-and-other-opioid-like-drugs
Source: TheHill.com – July 7, 2018
