U.S. probes deaths of patients using pain patches

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. regulators are investigating
reports of deaths of patients who were using pain patches that
contain the narcotic fentanyl, the Food and Drug Administration
said on Friday.

Johnson & Johnson sells fentanyl patches under the brand
name Duragesic, and Mylan Laboratories Inc. markets a generic
version. Johnson & Johnson told doctors in June it was adding
warnings to the Duragesic label about the potential for abuse
and misuse of the product.

The FDA said in a statement it was “conducting an
investigation into the deaths associated with these patches.”

“The agency has been examining the circumstances of product
use to determine if the reported adverse events may be related
to inappropriate use of the patch or factors related to the
quality of the product,” the FDA said.

The FDA advised patients to follow directions on how to use
the patch properly to avoid an overdose.

Officials at Johnson & Johnson and Mylan did not
immediately return calls seeking comment.