Opioid Dependence News and Research

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Study reveals that more than 14% of pregnant women are prescribed opioids for pain

More than 14 percent of pregnant women were prescribed opioids (narcotics) for pain at some time during their pregnancy, according to a study posted to the online version of Anesthesiology.

13 Feb 2014

Aetna is helping to reverse abuse of prescription painkillers

Abuse of prescription painkillers, known as opioids, is a widespread and growing problem in the United States. The epidemic adds billions of dollars to health care, work place and criminal justice costs each year.

10 Jan 2014

On-site testing for HIV, STIs declines substantially between 2000 and 2011: Study

A survey of opioid treatment programs finds that the proportion offering on-site testing for human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections declined substantially between 2000 and 2011, despite guidelines recommending routine opt-out HIV testing in all health care settings, according to a study appearing in the December 25 issue of JAMA.

25 Dec 2013

RBCC, Therakine reach major milestone in the development of new drug delivery technology

Rainbow Coral Corp. and its joint venture partner, Therakine, Ltd., are pleased to announce that they have reached a major new milestone in the development of a revolutionary new drug delivery technology.

12 Dec 2013

Opioid dependence causes greatest health burden of all illicit drugs

The first ever analysis of the global and regional prevalence of dependence upon the four major categories of illicit drugs – amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, and opioids (such as heroin) – has revealed that opioid dependence causes the greatest health burden (overall death and illness) of all the illicit drugs. The results come from new analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, and are published in The Lancet.

29 Aug 2013

NSM Insurance Group establishes specialty Behavioral Health, Social Services Unit

NSM Insurance Group announced the establishment of a specialty Behavioral Health, Social Services Unit due to NSM's remarkable growth in this niche over the last 5 years. Bill McKernan, NSM President commented, "It made perfect sense that our Retail clients benefit from the vast expertise NSM has in this space so we created a team comprised of NSM's most experienced Behavioral Health and Social Service Insurance Professionals."

6 Aug 2013

FDA approves Orexo's Zubsolv for people suffering from opioid dependence

Orexo today announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Zubsolv (buprenorphine/naloxone) sublingual tablet CIII.

4 Jul 2013

Orexo announces dosing of first patient with Zubsolv in phase III clinical study

Orexo AB announces today that the first patient has been dosed with Zubsolv in a phase III study for a new clinical indication for Zubsolv.

17 Jun 2013

BioDelivery Sciences International submits BUNAVAIL NDA to FDA

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. announced today that it engaged in a positive pre-New Drug Application meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding BUNAVAIL for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence.

10 Jun 2013

Correctional policies discourage released inmates from seeking methadone therapy, researchers say

Methadone treatment for opioid dependence remains widely unavailable behind bars in the United States, and many inmates are forced to discontinue this evidence-based therapy, which lessens painful withdrawal symptoms.

30 Mar 2013

Addiction risk increased after mild traumatic brain injury

A study of military personnel suggests that individuals who have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury are at increased for addiction-related disorders.

8 Mar 2013

FDA approves Actavis’ generic Suboxone ANDA to treat opioid dependence

Actavis, Inc. today announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Buprenorphine HCl and Naloxone HCl Dihydrate SL Tablets, 2 mg/0.5 mg and 8 mg/2 mg, the generic equivalent to Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare's Suboxone.

26 Feb 2013

FDA approves Amneal’s generic Suboxone to treat opioid drug dependence

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, the 7th largest generic drug manufacturer in the U.S. market, has received U.S. FDA approval for one of the first generic versions of Suboxone sublingual tablets for maintenance treatment of opioid drug dependence.

25 Feb 2013

FDA accepts Orexo’s Zubsolv NDA for review

FDA has informed Orexo that the Zubsolv New Drug Application (NDA) has been accepted for review, and that the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date will be July 6, 2013.

19 Nov 2012

Incentives can help promote drug abstinence among pregnant women with heroin or cocaine addiction

A "contingency management" approach—offering incentives for negative drug tests—can help promote drug abstinence among pregnant women with heroin or cocaine addiction, reports a study in the September Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

1 Sep 2012

Enrollment complete in BDSI's pivotal pharmacokinetic study of BNX for opioid dependence

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. announced that enrollment and the clinical portion of the pivotal pharmacokinetic study for BEMA Buprenorphine/Naloxone (BNX) for the treatment of opioid dependence has been completed.

20 Aug 2012

Electronic PMP use may have impact on demand for drug treatment programs, painkiller abuse

A Rhode Island Hospital researcher has found that the use of electronic prescription drug monitoring programs (PMPs) may have a significant impact on the demand for drug treatment programs and how prescribers detect and respond to abuse of painkillers.

17 Aug 2012

Two-drug combination helps combat cocaine addiction

A combination of two existing pharmaceutical drugs may soon be used to treat cocaine addiction, findings from an animal study in Science Translational Medicine suggest.

10 Aug 2012

WHO identifies key actions countries can take to prevent HIV infections among people who inject drugs

WHO has identified four key actions countries can take to prevent viral hepatitis B and C among people who inject drugs. Of the estimated 16 million people who inject drugs worldwide, it is estimated that 10 million are infected with hepatitis C. An additional 1.2 million are infected with hepatitis B.

21 Jul 2012

‘Take home’ methadone maintenance therapy has added benefits

Patients who are given “take home” methadone maintenance treatment for opioid dependence are less likely to be admitted to hospital than those who do not, a study shows.

22 Jun 2012