A drug research program at Denver Health is facing national controversy involving accusations that its staff is helping opioid makers shift blame away from their products. The Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS) program, based at Denver Health, collects data on drug misuse and is funded by pharmaceutical companies, including Purdue Pharma.
Critics, including advocacy groups and individuals impacted by overdoses, allege that RADARS is too closely connected to Purdue Pharma and has advocated against stricter limitations on prescription opioids. However, RADARS executive director Dr. Richard Dart maintains that the organization is independent and plays a crucial role in protecting public safety by gathering data on drug use and misuse.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced plans to study whether the data collected by RADARS is valuable and how burdensome it is for treatment centers to administer surveys. The feedback on this announcement has been mixed, with some urging the FDA not to work with RADARS due to its alleged ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Despite the controversy, RADARS reports have been instrumental in identifying trends in drug misuse and overdose crisis, including the shift from prescription pills to heroin and fentanyl. The program continues to gather data from various sources to better understand the complexities of drug addiction and substance use disorders.
The FDA is reviewing feedback on its plans to study RADARS data and is committed to promoting appropriate prescribing, innovation in pain management, overdose prevention, and effective treatment for substance use disorders. The Colorado attorney general’s lawsuit against Purdue Pharma alleges that RADARS and its staff assisted in lobbying efforts for abuse-deterrent opioids, but the organization maintains its independence and commitment to public safety.