Healthcare is supposed to be about helping sick people. It's supposed to be about developing treatments, procedures, methods and medicines aimed at stopping pain, healing disease and improving the quality of life.

It isn't always that simple. Nevertheless, everyone I know working in healthcare wants to promote health, prevent harm and provide hope for those who are hurting in various ways. I'm reminded of the words of one much wiser than myself who said, "Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." I'd like to think I'm here for sick people, too.

But sometimes I think we have forgotten who we really serve.

For example, there has been no shortage of criticism over the FDA decision to approve Zohydro (hydrocodone) ER back in October. Headlines like "Genuinely frightening" and "Zohydro: America's Deadliest New Drug?" and "Is this painkiller FDA's fatal mistake?" are painted across the tops of numerous medical news websites as marketing and distribution of the drug begins.

The chief criticisms of this Schedule II extended-release hydrocodone capsule, marketed by Zogenix, are its potency and lack of abuse-deterrent properties. In fact, there are upwards of 42 public health groups urging the FDA to withdraw their support of Zohydro. Experts like Dr. Michael Carome of the Public Citizen's Health Research Group put it bluntly "people are going to die from this drug."

The responses of the media and public health groups like this make me think that we are missing the point. When did our first priority in the development of medications become the manner in which certain persons will intentionally misuse and abuse it?

I thought we were here for the sick. I thought our first priority was to put effective medications that improve health or reduce suffering into the hands of patients who look to us for treatments that will work.

But alas, it would appear from the way most have responded to the Zohydro approval, our only concern is for those who don't need this medicine at all. Is it just me, or have we gotten off track? Who are we here for?

I work in an outpatient pharmacy in a busy city hospital across the street from a cancer and wellness center. I see a lot of patients in pain. Although I have no financial connection whatsoever to Zohydro ER, I think any reasonable person will admit there was an inexcusable absence of an extended-release hydrocodone product in our arsenal of pain management weapons.

We have oxycodone and oxycodone ER. We have morphine and morphine ER. We have both long- and short-acting versions of fentanyl. But hydrocodone, which has an undeniable usefulness as an analgesic, was not available except in combination with acetaminophen, which the FDA recently recommended reducing. To argue that Zohydro ER wasn't needed when nothing else like it existed simply defies all manner of logic.

Other concerns about the approval of Zohydro ER involve certain influential meetings arranged between manufacturers of pain medications and FDA officials. The allegations, if true, would certainly cast a shadow on the ethical character of the individuals involved in such meetings for sure.

Such "pay to play" tactics need to be investigated, but the evidence currently available doesn't appear to be clear enough to convict anyone yet. But whatever the result, the fact remains that a single ingredient hydrocodone medication did not exist prior to the approval of Zohydro ER.

I'm concerned about the rampant problem of addiction and abuse in our nation. It is sad to see so many individuals ruining their lives, especially when so many resources for their assistance are available.

But I'm also concerned for my patients in pain. Patients with chronic conditions that won't be cured and consider it a good day if their pain is just a 7 and not a 10. I see them every day.

They need a voice, too. Someone needs to stand up and speak for them. That's who I'm really here for.