Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on the agency’s continued efforts to promote the safe adoption of medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – the use of medication combined with counseling and behavioral therapies – is one of the major pillars of the federal response to the opioid epidemic in this country. This type of treatment is an important tool that has the potential to help millions of Americans with an opioid use disorder regain control over their lives. In fact, patients receiving MAT cut their risk of death from all causes in half, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Addressing the epidemic of opioid addiction is my highest public health priority. One element of that effort is promoting more widespread, safe adoption of MAT as a way to help more people overcome addiction.
