Hydroxyurea treats sickle cell anemia by helping to prevent formation of sickle- shaped RBC’s (red blood cells) which is used to decrease the amount of painful crises and reduce the need for blood transfusions. Dr. George Buchanan, who is a professor of pediatrics at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, who also helped lead the expert panel that developed the guidelines says that ‘The drug hydroxyurea increases the production of healthy fetal hemoglobin, making the red blood cells less stiff and rigid. Even though the drug does not cure the disease, clinical trials found it significantly reduces crisis episodes and hospitalizations” but as Dr Carlton Haywood Jr., an assistant professor of hematology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine said “Despite the widespread concern about overuse of opioids, the recommendations urge physicians caring for sickle cell patients to use the powerful painkillers when necessary.” Which is why many patients “either don’t have access to it, or don’t have access to a doctor who’s knowledgeable or who emphasized how effective it