An Update on FDA’s Overdose Prevention Framework - Addressing Critical Areas of Need

Preventing and reducing substance use disorders and overdose deaths remains a priority of mine and an area of major focus at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. I would like to take this time to reflect on International Overdose Awareness Day, Aug. 31, 2023, which reminds us of what’s at stake and acknowledges people in our communities who are affected by overdose but might go unseen in the crisis.

The agency continues to take actions in response to the four priorities outlined in the FDA’s Overdose Prevention Framework one year ago, including primary prevention, encouraging harm reduction, advancing evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders, and protecting the public from unapproved, diverted, or counterfeit drugs.

While we have made progress in many areas, the crisis has grown into an even more dangerous public health challenge. Last year, we had more than 107,000 overdose deaths, which means each day nearly 300 people died from a drug overdose. These deaths are primarily driven by illicit fentanyl and its analogs. Additionally, other controlled substances, such as stimulants and benzodiazepines, are being used in combination with opioids. And new challenges continue to arise. Here is an update on some activities we are taking across the agency in each of the Overdose Prevention Framework priorities.

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