Inside STAT: The military pushed it for the battlefield. But is the newest opioid any better?

(CRAIG SHEROD/ACELRX PHARMACEUTICALS VIA AP)

The FDA's recent approval of Dsuvia — a tablet version of an old IV painkiller that's up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl — has sparked a debate about how badly we need another strong painkiller. Critics say alternatives exist and are worried Dsuvia could be easily diverted. The drug's endorsement was championed by the military, which argues that such a fast-acting drug is needed in combat zones. But there's a more fundamental question lurking behind that debate — can the product deliver speedy pain relief as advertised? STAT's Ed Silverman interviewed people who have a stake in the drug, from ER doctors to Scott Gottlieb. His conclusion: The drug's approval should give you pause. Read his column here.