Four tiny, implantable rods that steadily ooze drugs could help some patients kick opioid addictions, an advisory committee for the US Food and Drug Administration concluded this week. With a 12 to 5 vote, the committee of medical experts recommended that the regulatory agency approve the implantable device for use—and the agency often follows such advice.
If approved, the treatment would debut amid a national epidemic of addictions and overdoses involving opioids, which includes prescription painkillers and heroin.