A new painkiller that was approved only months ago and has yet to hit pharmacy shelves is already stirring controversy, with doctors and activists saying it will lead to abuse, addiction and deaths. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Zohydro against the recommendations of its advisory panel, saying that a stronger pain pill was needed for patients who haven't been able to get relief from existing medications. But unlike the new tamper-resistant formulation of OxyContin, Zohydro can easily be crushed and then snorted or injected, according to one of the experts on the FDA advisory board who voted against the drug's approval. The drug can also contain 10 times the amount of the narcotic hydrocodone as other painkillers, according to Reuters . The pill is expected to hit shelves March 1.
