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Judge Blocks Massachusetts Ban On Painkiller

A federal judge has blocked Massachusetts from banning the powerful new painkiller Zohydro.

U.S. District Court Judge Rya Zobel on Tuesday issued the preliminary injunction after the maker of the drug, Zogenix, said in a lawsuit that the ban ordered by Gov. Deval Patrick was unconstitutional.

Zobel said in issuing the injunction that Massachusetts appears to have overstepped its authority in banning the drug, which had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Patrick ordered the ban after declaring a public health emergency in light of widespread prescription drug abuse in the state.

The judge said federal law preempted the state's order.

Secretary of Health and Human Services John Polanowicz said the administration would review the judge's ruling and likely have comment later in the day.

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