Fentanyl deaths
Fentanyl is a opiate 100 times more powerful than morphine. Originally this drug was put out as Duragesic® made by Johnson & Johnson. Although originally it was used in operations, it later was applied in patches for patients with chronic serious pain. Numerous generic versions of the fentanyl patch, including Sandoz (manufactured by Alza), Mylan, Watson and Actavis hit the market. Although intended for only serious pain symtoms, some doctors prescribed it to those not needing such a potent medication. "Fold-over defects" and "stringer leakers" have caused leakage from the patches to over-medicate and kill patients.
A second Public Health Advisory regarding fentanyl pain patches has been issued, which stated that "reports indicate that doctors have inappropriately prescribed the fentanyl patch to patients for acute pain following surgery, for headaches, occasional or mild pain, and other indications for which a fentanyl patch should not be prescribed."
Johnson & Johnson recalled approximately 32 million patches because of possible leak defects. The recall includes Duragesic® and Sandoz brands. Actavis Inc., the United States manufacturing and marketing division of the international generic pharmaceutical company Actavis Group HF announced that 14 lots of fentanyl transdermal system CII patches sold in the United States are being voluntarily recalled.
Once again, patients have relied vainly on the FDA, pharmaceutical companies and their treating physicians for a good faith review of the medications prescribed.
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