Study finds purer fentanyl will not curb U.S. overdose deaths

A new study highlighted that increasing the purity of fentanyl is unlikely to lower the number of overdose fatalities in the United States.

Researchers noted that while purer fentanyl may be more predictable for medical use, illicit markets continue to drive high-risk consumption patterns that keep death rates elevated.

The findings come as the FDA grapples with staffing shortages after large cuts tied to the DOGE service, which have created hiring bottlenecks and could affect regulatory oversight.