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Sucampo presents phase 3 trial results of lubiprostone in non-cancer pain patients with OBD at DDW 2010

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of results from a phase 3 clinical trial investigating the use of lubiprostone in non-cancer pain patients with Opioid-induced Bowel Dysfunction (OBD). These results were the subject of an oral presentation at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010 conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 5, 2010.

11 May 2010

Sucampo reports $0.3M net loss, $14.8M total revenue for first-quarter 2010

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

11 May 2010

Health outcomes explored at DDW 2010

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which may soon be the leading indication for liver transplant, is found to be significantly associated with worse transplant outcomes. In addition, a new tool for diagnosing NAFLD represents an alternative to liver biopsy, which is more expensive and prone to complications, and ultrasound and alfafeprotein blood test screening are an effective alternative to CT scan and MRI for patients with cirrhosis at high risk for hepatocellular cancer.

3 May 2010

Prescription overdoses are second leading cause of unintentional deaths in US

"Unintentional poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional death in the US," reports Dr. Jeffrey H. Coben of West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. Among people 35 to 54 years old, unintentional poisoning surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional death in 2005.

6 Apr 2010

Prescription drug abuse reaches epidemic proportions

Poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. While several recent high-profile Hollywood celebrity cases have brought the problem to public attention, the rates of unintentional poisoning deaths have been on the rise for more than 15 years.

6 Apr 2010

CRC Health's 2009 consolidated net revenue down 5.4%

CRC Health Corporation, a leading provider of substance abuse treatment and youth services through its wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries, announced its results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2009.

27 Mar 2010

Study finds most HIV prevention, treatment, care efforts overlook IDUs

A systematic review of HIV prevention, treatment and care for injecting drug users (IDUs) throughout the world, published Monday in the journal Lancet, found that international efforts to fight the disease are largely overlooking this population, the Australian Associated Press/Sydney Morning Herald reports (Rose, 3/1).

2 Mar 2010

Novartis' Tasigna capsules granted priority review by FDA for treatment of adult patients with Ph+ CML

Novartis announced today that Tasigna® (nilotinib) 200 mg capsules has been granted priority review by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase.

19 Feb 2010

"Knowledge deficit" about methadone responsible for resulting deaths

In a unique and comprehensive literature review of poisoning deaths involving opioids from 1999 -- 2009, the deaths involving methadone were found to be disproportionately high. Methadone represented less than five percent of all opioid prescriptions but is responsible for a third of the deaths. After four years of investigation, the major underlying cause was found to be fundamental misunderstandings about the properties of the medicine -- a "knowledge deficit" -- especially when converting patients from other opioids.

4 Feb 2010

Taking opioids long term could hold small risk of addition

Coping with chronic non-cancer pain is a way of life for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, many older adults, in particular, hesitate to take opioids — a kind of narcotic — for fear of addiction. However, a new review finds that taking opioids long term is associated with clinically significant pain relief in some patients with a very small risk of addition.

20 Jan 2010

New study indicates growing number of people are abusing prescription painkillers

This entire year was marked by an abundance of media coverage and attention surrounding prescription painkillers, largely the result of widespread misuse throughout Hollywood.

24 Dec 2009

Avatar clinical software solution implemented for Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division

Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise-wide software and services for health and human services organizations, recently completed implementation of its Avatar clinical software solution for the Monterey County (Calif.) Health Department Behavioral Health Division.

22 Dec 2009

Washington Post, New York Times examine PEPFAR

The Washington Post examines the Obama administration's goal "to get the 'emergency' out of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief" and integrate HIV/AIDS programs more into the health infrastructure of recipient countries. A five-year strategy for PEPFAR was released last week.

9 Dec 2009

New data demonstrating the strength of Novartis' hematology portfolio to be presented

Novartis announced today that new data, including a late-breaking presentation on Tasigna® (nilotinib) 200 mg capsules in a form of chronic myeloid leukemia, demonstrate the strength of the company's hematology portfolio in advancing the care of patients.

2 Dec 2009

New nursing guideline to enhance improved care for MMT clients

A pregnant woman walks into a hospital in early labour. She feels nauseated and achy; her contractions are 20 minutes apart. There is more to her story than meets the eye. She is on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) and wasn't able to pick up her daily dose at the pharmacy this morning. Although her story may be hard to believe she is one of the estimated 17,000 clients in Ontario currently receiving MMT.

2 Dec 2009

New findings suggest current system of classifying psychoactive drugs in UK may need to be revisited

Drug users are well informed about the harms associated with the drugs they use, and perceive alcohol and tobacco to be amongst the most dangerous substances, according to a survey by UCL (University College London) and Imperial College London researchers.

25 Nov 2009

Bioniche Pharma acquires injectable drugs from Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals

Bioniche Pharma, a leading developer and manufacturer of injectable pharmaceuticals, announced today the acquisition of Duraclon® (clonidine hydrochloride injection) and Methadone Hydrochloride Injection USP from Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

13 Nov 2009

FDA approves Covidien's Abbreviated New Drug Application for CII

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that its subsidiary, Mallinckrodt Inc., has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate (CII).

31 Oct 2009

36 individuals in Kentucky face federal prescription pill charges

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that 36 individuals face various federal prescription pill charges as part of the largest drug sweep operation in Kentucky's history.

30 Oct 2009

Regional HIV/AIDS conference opens in Russia

A regional conference kicked off Wednesday in Moscow with experts calling on Russian authorities to change their approach to preventing the spread of HIV among injection drug users [IDUs], Deutsche Presse-Agentur/M&C reports (10/28).

30 Oct 2009