The makers of 24 different prescriptions this week presented federal regulators with plans to curb the abuse of these opioid drugs.

The has been continuous pressure from the FDA on pharmaceuticals companies to seek a way to stop hundreds of fatal overdoses which take place with these medications every year, as per the Associated Press.

Utilizing patient medication guides, letters to doctors and additional physician training to end the misuse and inappropriate prescribing of painkillers was proposed by executives from the Johnson and Johnson camp.

A joint proposal was presented by the drug makers after many months of discussion. FDA officials had sent letters to 16 companies ordering them to design risk-management plans for their drugs.

Morphine, oxycodone and methadone are the painkillers that are in question. AP reported that this is the first time that the agency has required a risk-management plan for the entire class of drugs.