On July 9, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a risk management program, known as a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), for a class of potent pain medicines called extended-release and long-acting (ER/LA) opioid analgesics.  This announcement will alert health care professionals and patients about the importance of proper prescribing and the safe and proper use of ER/LA opioid analgesic medications, and will explain the responsibility that manufacturers of these products have to make educational materials available for prescribers and patients.

Please click here for more information from the FDA.