Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (PCRX) supplemental New Drug Application for Exparel as a nerve block for regional analgesia awaits the FDA’s final verdict on April 6, 2018.Exparel, a liposomal bupivacaine formulation, is a long-acting non-opioid local analgesic, and was approved by the FDA for the management of postsurgical pain in October 2011. Last month, an FDA panel voted 6-4 against recommending approval of Exparel in the proposed additional use as a nerve block for postoperative analgesia.In March 2015, the FDA too had turned down Pacira’s request to approve Exparel in the expanded indication.Will the FDA follow the panel’s recommendations or take a different stance now?PCRX closed Tuesday’s (Mar.27) trading at $31.40, down 1.26%.