Drug Abuse News and Research

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New initiative to reduce prescription drug abuse

With overdoses and deaths involving the use of prescription drugs skyrocketing in the United States, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has selected the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University to host a new initiative to reduce diversion and abuse of these drugs: the PMP Center of Excellence.

26 Mar 2010

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in patients 18 years of age or older. HE is a serious disorder caused by chronic liver failure, resulting in cognitive, psychiatric and motor impairments. This approval was supported by findings from the largest randomized trial of maintenance therapy in HE conducted to date, which assessed the efficacy and safety of XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets and demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of overt HE recurrence.

25 Mar 2010

Combining cognitive behavioral therapy with medication bupropion helps women quit smoking

For women smokers worried about their weight, combining cognitive behavioral therapy addressing weight concerns with the medication bupropion appears more effective than counseling alone to help them quit smoking, according to a report in the March 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

23 Mar 2010

Acurox NDA: FDA schedules Advisory Committee meeting

Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has publically announced the scheduling of an April 22, 2010 Advisory Committee meeting to discuss the New Drug Application ("NDA") for Acurox® (oxycodone HCl and niacin) Tablets and the results of studies evaluating the addition of niacin for the purpose of reducing the misuse of oxycodone.

18 Mar 2010

Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy leads to structural abnormalities in brain of children

It has long been known that alcohol exposure is toxic to the developing fetus and can result in lifelong brain, cognitive and behavioral problems. Now, a new report out of UCLA shows that the effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure - or worse, a combination of methamphetamine and alcohol - may be even more damaging.

17 Mar 2010

Differences in brain's reward system may underlie vulnerability to psychopathy: Study

Normal individuals who scored high on a measure of impulsive/antisocial traits display a hypersensitive brain reward system, according to a brain imaging study by researchers at Vanderbilt University. The findings provide the first evidence of differences in the brain's reward system that may underlie vulnerability to what's typically referred to as psychopathy.

16 Mar 2010

Alliance members advocate passage of Alcohol-Related Services Act

A diverse, statewide network of concerned individuals, treatment and prevention service providers, cities, counties, public health departments, enforcement, labor, youth and faith-based groups determined to pass a fair and meaningful alcohol-harm mitigation fee in California.

16 Mar 2010

Forensic Laboratories introduces first oral fluid test for Tapentadol

Forensic Laboratories, a Denver-based laboratory specializing in toxicology services for drug abuse, has unveiled the first oral fluid test for Tapentadol, a new federally approved drug prescribed by doctors for pain management. Previously, laboratories could only detect the drug through urine using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) technology.

15 Mar 2010

New book on role of CBOs and NGOs in global public health

Igniting the Power of Community: The Role of CBOs and NGOs in Global Public Health is a new book edited by Paul Gaist, PhD, MPH, adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which explores the pursuits and potential of community-based organizations (CBOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to transform global public health.

4 Mar 2010

Survey underscores need for continued efforts to combat substance abuse among teens

New survey data released today by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and MetLife Foundation point to the need for continued efforts to combat substance abuse among teens. While there was no significant increase in the abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines containing dextromethorphan, the 21st annual Partnership/MetLife Foundation Attitude Tracking Survey (PATS) found an overall waning in teens' negative perceptions about many drugs along with increases in abuse rates for alcohol, ecstasy, and marijuana.

3 Mar 2010

Merck’s MF/F Phase III study data presented at AAAAI annual meeting

Data from two Phase III studies of Merck’s investigational fixed-dose combinations of mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate (MF/F) were presented by researchers today in two poster presentations at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting.

3 Mar 2010

Of the 2.3M inmates, only 1.5M meet DSM IV medical criteria for substance abuse: CASA

Of the 2.3 million inmates crowding our nation's prisons and jails, 1.5 million meet the DSM IV medical criteria for substance abuse or addiction, and another 458,000, while not meeting the strict DSM IV criteria, had histories of substance abuse; were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of their crime; committed their offense to get money to buy drugs; were incarcerated for an alcohol or drug law violation; or shared some combination of these characteristics, according to Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and America's Prison Population. Combined these two groups constitute 85 percent of the U.S. prison population.

27 Feb 2010

Neurogenesis linked to drug addiction and relapse

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center hope they have begun paving a new pathway in the fight against drug dependence. Their hypothesis - that increasing the normally occurring process of making nerve cells might prevent addiction - is based on a rodent study demonstrating that blocking new growth of specific brain nerve cells increases vulnerability for cocaine addiction and relapse.

27 Feb 2010

The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy selects Botvin LST as "Top Tier" program

Botvin LifeSkills Training has been selected as a "Top Tier" program by The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy. The Top Tier initiative, which is being followed closely by Congress, focuses on identifying and validating social programs meeting the highest standard of evidence of effectiveness.

25 Feb 2010

ONDCP, HHS announce availability of over $1.1M for new Drug Free Communities Support programs

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing the availability of more than $1.1 million for new Drug Free Communities Support Mentoring program (DFC Mentoring) grants. An estimated 15 new Mentoring grants will be awarded (up to $75,000 per grant, per year) to drug and alcohol prevention community coalitions from across the nation. The length of the project period is up to two years.

24 Feb 2010

LifeSciences British Columbia, UBC to host global summit on HIV/AIDS

LifeSciences British Columbia, the BC Centre of Excellence in HIV/AIDS, and the University of British Columbia will host a global summit on HIV/AIDS on Feb. 26th, 2010, against the backdrop of the 2010 Olympic Games.

24 Feb 2010

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, NIDA partner to conduct CPP-109 Phase II(b) clinical trial for cocaine addiction

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. announced today that it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to conduct a U.S. Phase II(b) clinical trial evaluating CPP-109, Catalyst's formulation of vigabatrin, for the treatment of cocaine addiction. It is anticipated that NIDA, under their agreement with Veteran's Administration Cooperative Studies Program, will provide substantial resources for the trial and that Catalyst will contribute approximately $2.5 million in resources as part of the estimated $10 million trial cost.

23 Feb 2010

FDA Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee supports approval of XIFAXAN 550 mg for management of HE

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today reported that the Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA has recommended by a vote of 14 to 4 in favor of the approval of XIFAXAN® (rifaximin) Tablets, 550 mg for the maintenance of remission of hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

23 Feb 2010

Cancer pain patients: European regulations restricting access to opioid-based drugs

Many cancer patients in Europe are being denied access to adequate pain relief because of over-zealous regulations restricting the availability and accessibility of opioid-based drugs such as morphine.

22 Feb 2010

Roots of many adult diseases sprout in poverty: Scientist to discuss at AAAS meeting

The roots of many adult diseases sprout in poverty and other burdens on the socially disadvantaged. Rockefeller University-s Bruce S. McEwen, a self-described molecular sociologist, will talk about the effects such environmental stressors have on the brain and in turn other organ systems in a talk in San Diego this Friday at the 2010 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

22 Feb 2010

Drug Abuse News and Research

New initiative to reduce prescription drug abuse

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

Combining cognitive behavioral therapy with medication bupropion helps women quit smoking

Acurox NDA: FDA schedules Advisory Committee meeting

Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy leads to structural abnormalities in brain of children

Differences in brain's reward system may underlie vulnerability to psychopathy: Study

Alliance members advocate passage of Alcohol-Related Services Act

Forensic Laboratories introduces first oral fluid test for Tapentadol

New book on role of CBOs and NGOs in global public health

Survey underscores need for continued efforts to combat substance abuse among teens

Merck’s MF/F Phase III study data presented at AAAAI annual meeting

Of the 2.3M inmates, only 1.5M meet DSM IV medical criteria for substance abuse: CASA

Neurogenesis linked to drug addiction and relapse

The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy selects Botvin LST as "Top Tier" program

ONDCP, HHS announce availability of over $1.1M for new Drug Free Communities Support programs

LifeSciences British Columbia, UBC to host global summit on HIV/AIDS

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, NIDA partner to conduct CPP-109 Phase II(b) clinical trial for cocaine addiction

FDA Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee supports approval of XIFAXAN 550 mg for management of HE

Cancer pain patients: European regulations restricting access to opioid-based drugs

Roots of many adult diseases sprout in poverty: Scientist to discuss at AAAS meeting

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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