U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) is calling for restrictions on Palladone, a painkiller stronger than OxyContin. Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, is currently seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Palladone.

Wolf said he plans to bring the problems identified in a Sentinel series on prescription-drug abuse to the attention of the head of the FDA and doctors reviewing Palladone.

"We will ask the FDA to look at this series, including the doctors who voted on Some federal lawmakers are pushing to review or place tighter controls on prescription painkillers last month," Wolf said. "We'll ask them, 'How do you feel now?'"

In Florida, Gov. Jeb Bush is calling for regulations aimed at curbing addiction and misuse of OxyContin and other prescription drugs.

Jim McDonough, head of the governor's Office of Drug Policy, said a three-point plan is under development that would include legislative, educational, and national initiatives.

Several members of Congress, as well as public-safety advocates, are also pushing the FDA to require more evidence about the safety and benefits of powerful prescription drugs before they grant approval.

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