State officials nationwide have united against the new painkiller-Zohydro ER. They believe that it can be used by addicts and will further aggravate prescription drug abuse.

In October 2013, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zohydro ER. It has a generic name hydrocodone, one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in the United States, which is given to patients who require painkillers regularly, daily, and long-term.

The decision was strongly criticized by health experts and advocates for patient safety. They also questioned the packaging of the drug as it seemed to be easy to tamper.

Weeks before its March 2014 release, critics appealed to the government agency for the reversal of the approval. The appeal was made by individuals and organizations, including attorneys general from 28 states and addiction treatment providers. They compared Zohydro ER to OxyContin-an opioid or painkiller used by cancer patients that have become abused and misused. However, the agency did not grant their request.

"I firmly believe that the benefits of this product outweigh its risks," said Bob Rappaport, M.D., division director at FDA's Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Addiction Products, to WebMD. "Many patients in the U.S. suffer from untreated or poorly treated chronic pain. Further limiting access to potential treatments is not the answer when new treatments are critically needed."

The state officials are not giving up though even if the Zohydro ER is already out in the market. On Thursday, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin announced an emergency order to make the prescription harder. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick also ordered a ban against the drug.

"What puzzles all of us is the recent FDA action to approve a new opiate that's stronger and likely to be even more addictive because of its strength," Shumlin said to Associated Press. "Zohydro has been approved by the FDA to the bewilderment of many of us."