Health Care News Podcast

Did the FDA destroy what could have been a non-addictive pain killer that might have staved off the opioid crisis before it ever stood a chance? Several decades ago, the agency approved the drug Toradol, the first non-addictive pain killer that had pain killing effects of morphine without the addictive potential. However, the FDA set the desired peak dosage, known as the loading dose, far higher than manufacturer Syntex desired. The company reluctantly complied. 97 people prescribed Toradol dies within the first few years as a result.  With their drug no longer used in it’s original form, pharmaceutical company Syntex tried to introduce the drug in an oral form. However, the FDA overcompensated for their initial error, restricting dosage to levels not useful for medicinal applications  Today’s guest, Charles L. Hooper worked at Syntex when Toradol was coming onto the market as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This was a time of excitement for the company says Hooper. They were eager to cooperate with th