The FDA has approved Cephalon's Fentora for treating the pain of some cancer victims. The agency approved the drug for patients who can tolerate opioid therapy. Fentora includes fentanyl, a powerful pain killer that is used in other therapies as well. But Fentora is designed to be absorbed in the lining of the upper cheek, which researchers say can deliver pain relief much faster than other methods. The agency had already given conditional approval of Fentora, which will be used to treat sharp spikes in pain that can last anywhere from three to 60 minutes. Cephalon is also studying Fentora for other types of pain as well.
- here's a report on the approval from TheStreet.com