Masters Pharmaceutical, Inc. v. Drug Enforcement Administration

PILLARD, Circuit Judge:

Breakthroughs in the development of prescription opioid painkillers have vastly increased their popularity. But that popularity has taken a toll. Opioids are heavily addictive and often lethal in high doses. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA or agency) has therefore listed opioids such as hydrocodone and oxyco-done as controlled substances so that DEA can monitor and restrict their sale. Over the past two decades, DEA has been battling a steep increase in prescription opioid abuse — a problem that DEA views as an “epidemic.” U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Drug Enft…