Although there are many efforts through law enforcement, education, rehabilitation and regulation to curb the abuse of prescription drugs, the problem continues to grow. A breakthrough technology known as abuse deterrent formulations (ADFs) offers a meaningful and new approach to fight prescription drug abuse by increasing the difficulty of tampering and inappropriate use of the most abusable opioids and stimulants.

Currently in use in several products, ADFs help prevent the crushing, snorting and injecting of painkillers today and in stimulants soon, when abusers are seeking an immediate high. The Abuse Deterrent Coalition was created to serve as a forum of Abuse Deterrent Formulation Technology Manufacturers, Patient & Issue Associations and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers to educate the public, policy makers and the FDA on the importance of ADF technologies in the fight against prescription drug abuse.

Further, the coalition provides a unified voice for legislative and regulatory initiatives that support the required use of abuse deterrent formulations for prescription drugs that have a high potential for abuse. Abuse deterrent formulations can also play a positive role in combating the growing problem of Schedule II stimulant prescription drug abuse, such as ADD and ADHD medication, especially among college students. A comprehensive approach is needed to combat prescription pain medication abuse while still maintaining access for pain patients who need them and ADFs are another valuable tool in that effort.