FDA may decide on propofol soon.

On its front page, the Wall Street Journal (8/6, A1, Mundy) reports, “Abuse of the sedative suspected in Michael Jackson’s death,” called Diprivan (propofol), “is a growing problem among medical professionals, increasing pressure on the government to restrict it as a controlled substance.” The drug “is a widely used hospital sedative” that is “quick-acting and rapidly leaves the system,” which can make it “a popular sedative [and] also make it a recreational drug for some in the medical profession.” In 2007, “a citizen petition was filed at the DEA, asking that propofol be designated a controlled substance, which requires an FDA recommendation. Representatives of both agencies said they’ve been reviewing the matter. One official said a decision could come in a few months.”

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