Florida Blue to Cease OxyContin Coverage
Starting Jan. 1, Florida’s largest health insurer will cease coverage of the drug in favor of a painkiller less easy to abuse.
The alternate medication, Xtampza ER, is similar to OxyContin in that it is an extended-release, oxycodone-based product.
However, the big difference is that Xtampza is more chemically suited to prevent users from crushing, snorting or injecting it — all means of getting a quicker, and potentially more lethal, high.
Collegium Pharmaceutical, the manufacture of Xtampza, notes: “Although Xtampza ER is formulated to make manipulation more difficult, it cannot entirely prevent abuse; abuse of Xtampza ER by injection and via the oral and nasal routes is still possible.”
Read more at USA Today.