FDA approves Covidien painkiller

ST. LOUIS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an opioid painkiller made by Covidien's generic drug division, the medical supply company said.



Covidien said the FDA approved Mallinckrodt's morphine sulfate oral solution, used to relieve moderate to severe acute and chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients.



"FDA approval of this drug represents a key component in palliative care treatment," Covidien CFO and interim president for pharmaceuticals Matthew Harbaugh said. "It is important that we are able to respond to the concerns of the hospice and palliative care community."