News NIH and FDA leaders call for more research, lower barriers to improve and implement drug- checking tools amid overdose epidemic

[RUC4]

NIH and FDA leaders call for more research, lower barriers to improve and implement drug- checking tools amid overdose epidemic​

NIH
12 June 2023

Excerpts:

Tools such as fentanyl test strips hold promise to reduce drug-related harms and save lives

National Institutes of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlight the urgent need to address current gaps in the research, development, and implementation of fentanyl test strips and other rapid drug-detecting tools that could help prevent overdose deaths.

In 2021, more than 60,000 people in the U.S. ages 15 to 54 died from opioid-involved overdose – more than COVID-19 fatalities for this age group – and many of these deaths were driven by the extremely potent opioid fentanyl, which is difficult to detect unaided. Illicit fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, xylazine and in counterfeit pills, leaving many people unaware of the specific substances they are consuming.

Fentanyl test strips are among the most well-known and easily distributable drug-checking tools to date, yet few studies have evaluated their performance and impact on public health. In general, the FDA does not regulate test products when intended solely for use to detect substances or adulterants in illicit drugs.

 

[RUC4]

TLDR? Summary:
Leaders at the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration call for more research and lower barriers to improve and implement drug-checking tools such as fentanyl test strips to prevent overdose deaths. Illicit fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs, leaving many people unaware of the specific substances they are consuming. Expanding access to innovative, inexpensive, and easy-to-use drug-checking technologies may play a pivotal role in keeping people safe. Researchers and developers need to evaluate the accuracy and performance of these drug-detecting products. The FDA has provided premarket clearance for laboratory-based tests to detect fentanyl in urine and hair and welcomes the opportunity to work with manufacturers on point-of-care devices intended for testing human specimens.