They call it “opioid-induced constipation,” or “OIC.”The story of OIC illuminates the opportunism of pharmaceutical innovators and the consequences of a heavily drug­dependent society. If opioid addiction disappeared tomorrow, it would wipe billions of dollars from the drug companies’ bottom lines. While it is illegal to market a drug before approval, it is fine to market the condition the drug is designed to treat. The titles included: Opioid-induced Constipation: A Neglected Complication and Unmet Needs in Opioid-Induced Constipation. Last year, it became the first drug on the market specifically approved to treat opioid-induced constipation.

Source: Washington Post October 15, 2016 20:50 UTC