FDA approves injectable morphine product from BD

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new injectable painkiller made by Becton, Dickinson and Co., the medical products manufacturer said Monday.

BD announced the FDA approval of morphine sulfate injection as part of its BD Simplist line of ready-to-administer pre-filled injectables. The drug was approved in the 2-mg-per-mL, 4-mg-per-mL, 5-mg-per-mL, 8-mg-per-mL and 10-mg-per-mL strengths.

"The launch of an FDA-approved morphine product at a time of heightened need is an important step in our plans to drive clinical practice improvements," BD Rx president Mark Sebree said. "The expansion of the BD Simplist product line demonstrates our commitment to providing our hospital and surgical center customers with drugs in high demand today."

The latest approval is the fourth in a series of 20 to 30 drugs BD plans to launch under the BD Simplist brand. The morphine sulfate injection product will hit the market in early 2014.