Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2015-812

• Record #: R2015-812
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Failed to Pass
• Intro date: 10/14/2015
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Health and Environmental Protection
• Title: Call for U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reverse decision approving pediatric opioid use
• Sponsors: Emanuel, Rahm, Burke, Edward M.
• Related files: R2019-362

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
5/29/2019		City Council	Failed to Pass
10/14/2015	8235	City Council	Referred

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
October 14,2015









TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO


Ladies and Gentlemen:

At the request of the Commissioner of Public Health, I transmit herewith, together with Alderman Burke, a resolution regarding a recent FDA decision approving pediatric opioid use.

Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.

Mayor

Very truly yours,















i
RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in August 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of OxyContin, a dangerous prescription opioid, for pediatric patients ages 11 to 16; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago are committed to protecting the health and safety of Chicago's 2.7 million residents, especially children; and

WHEREAS, the United States is facing a growing epidemic of painkiller abuse and overdose deaths; and

WHEREAS, between 1999 and 2013, deaths from prescription opioid overdoses have quadrupled in this country; and

WHEREAS, a growing body of evidence shows that when addicted patients can no longer access prescription opioids, they often turn to heroin; and

WHEREAS, between 2009 and 2011, Chicago saw a 25% increase in the number of opioid-related emergency room visits; and

WHEREAS, the Chicago Fire Department transports up to 15 overdose victims to the emergency room every day, and in the first two days of October 2015, more than 70 Chicago residents overdosed on a batch of heroin that was likely laced with fentanyl; and

WHEREAS, OxyContin, if prescribed or used inappropriately, can lead to addiction, heroin use and overdose, and any consideration of expanding OxyContin's use to youth must factor in this reality; and

WHEREAS, providers who are inexperienced with this medication may see the FDA's action on OxyContin as a general approval to prescribe in situations where it is inappropriate, such as for short-term pain, or pain of mild or moderate inte...