Drug Abuse News and Research

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NIH awards $4 million research grant to AllTranz

AllTranz, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing drugs to treat a variety of neurologic and inflammatory disorders, today announced that it has been awarded a $4 million research grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to advance the company’s transdermal tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) patch for the treatment of marijuana dependence and withdrawal.

3 Nov 2009

Want to quit smoking? Try a nicotine patch plus a nicotine lozenge

In a comparison of five different smoking cessation medications, a nicotine patch plus a nicotine lozenge appears most effective at helping smokers quit, according to a report in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

3 Nov 2009

Stress-evoked changes can precipitate low mood and re-ignite drug-seeking behaviors

Stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse in cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

31 Oct 2009

FDA-approved drug PEG-ADA shows positive results in relieving major complication of priapism

Thousands of men are afflicted with an embarrassing and painful condition that triggers spontaneous, long-lasting erections. There are limited treatment options, but a solution could be on the way thanks to new research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

31 Oct 2009

Nevada case raises question of pharmacies' liability in drug abuse accidents

A Nevada case causes concern for pharmacies about possible liability for actions taken by customers who may abuse drugs. The Wall Street Journal reports on the case of Patricia Copening, who pleaded guilty to reckless driving after her car swerved off a highway and struck and killed a 21-year-old and injured a 33-year-old.

28 Oct 2009

Lack of optimal pain care delivery system costs more than $100 billion each year

A new Pain Medicine Position Paper published by leaders of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), reveals businesses lose $61 billion annually due to ineffective pain care and the lack of optimal pain care delivery.

27 Oct 2009

Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine while in the womb have poor impulse control

Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine while in the womb have poor impulse control and may be more vulnerable to drug abuse than female monkeys, even a decade or more after the exposure, according to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The findings could lead to a better understanding of human drug abuse.

23 Oct 2009

Shire announces new pharmacokinetic data of ADHD medication

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced new data about the pharmacokinetics of its Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication, Vyvanse- (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) Capsules CII, which showed that Vyvanse provided similar concentrations of its active medication in the blood when administered either intranasally or when administered orally.

23 Oct 2009

Purdue Pharma and NCPA partner to create a free tool to help prevent pharmacy crime

Purdue Pharma L.P. and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) debut the "RxPATROL® Pharmacy Safety and Security" video at NCPA's annual conference in New Orleans and on www.RxPATROL.com.

22 Oct 2009

Research in specific cells and circuitry affected by addiction may help guard against relapse

New research using animal models is enabling a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of compulsive drug addiction in humans - knowledge that may lead to more effective treatment options to weaken the powerful cravings that cause people to relapse.

22 Oct 2009

MEDNET partners with Axius Healthcare Group to distribute MedSafe

What's the cost of saving a teenage life? When it comes to preventing accidental death resulting from prescription medication abuse, there's no price tag. Parents with good intentions, however, may be unaware that the lock-boxes they've installed are not protecting their teens from the ticking timebomb of prescription drugs.

21 Oct 2009

Purdue Pharma supports government prescription drug monitoring programs, grants NASCSA $200,000

The National Association of State Controlled Substances Authorities (NASCSA) announced receipt of a $200,000 grant from Purdue Pharma L.P. today at the organization's 25th annual conference in San Diego. The grant is part of Purdue Pharma's ongoing efforts to support the operation, expansion and awareness of appropriately-designed state prescription drug monitoring programs, which can be an effective tool to address prescription drug abuse and diversion.

21 Oct 2009

Drug abuse expert Dr. Drew Pinsky and the Five Moms join in fight against OTC cough medicine abuse

Dr. Drew Pinsky, a nationally renowned drug abuse expert, and the Five Moms, five exceptional women dedicated to spreading the word about the dangers of cough medicine abuse, are speaking out to educate parents and congressional staff on Capitol Hill about the issue of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine abuse among teens and how to prevent it through education.

21 Oct 2009

Rural doctors, administrators push for health reform to include safeguards against Rx drug abuse

An increase in prescription drug fraud has caused doctors and hospital administrators to call for legislation to provide stronger safeguards. They say that such measures are especially important to protect government programs such as Medicaid and that heath reform proposals should increase coverage for drug treatment and rehabilitation. They note that prescription drug abuse and Medicaid fraud are especially sensitive issues in rural areas that struggle to attract providers.

21 Oct 2009

Wake Forest University School of Medicine honours researchers

Wake Forest University School of Medicine honored eight of its researchers with awards for excellence at the 13th Annual Research Awards Day Oct. 1.

12 Oct 2009

Series of national television public service advertisements to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu virus

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is joining with The Ad Council to launch a series of national television public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to encourage Americans to take steps to protect themselves from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.

9 Oct 2009

Ascensions Community Services founder receives the RWJF Community Health Leader Award

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today announced its selection of Satira Streeter, Psy.D., clinical psychologist and executive director of Ascensions Community Services in the District of Columbia, to receive a Community Health Leaders Award. She is one of 10 extraordinary Americans who will receive the RWJF honor for 2009 at a ceremony this evening at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

8 Oct 2009

Vaccine to treat cocaine dependence reduces use of the drug, according to study

A vaccine to treat cocaine dependence appears to reduce use of the drug in a subgroup of individuals who attain high anticocaine antibody levels in response, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. However, only 38 percent of vaccinated individuals produced high enough antibody levels and those who did maintained them for only two months.

6 Oct 2009

Study points to subtle differences between boys and girls' attitudes to multiple drugs

New research by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers looks at the specific ways parents and peers influence teenagers to smoke, drink and use marijuana in combination.

3 Oct 2009

Scientists identify measures for reducing $2 billion healthcare burden from substance abuse

With substance abuse now accounting for one in 14 hospital admissions and generating billions in health care costs, leading scientists held a briefing on Capitol Hill today to present the evidence that we already have and the evidence we need in treating and preventing the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

3 Oct 2009

Drug Abuse News and Research

NIH awards $4 million research grant to AllTranz

Want to quit smoking? Try a nicotine patch plus a nicotine lozenge

Stress-evoked changes can precipitate low mood and re-ignite drug-seeking behaviors

FDA-approved drug PEG-ADA shows positive results in relieving major complication of priapism

Nevada case raises question of pharmacies' liability in drug abuse accidents

Lack of optimal pain care delivery system costs more than $100 billion each year

Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine while in the womb have poor impulse control

Shire announces new pharmacokinetic data of ADHD medication

Purdue Pharma and NCPA partner to create a free tool to help prevent pharmacy crime

Research in specific cells and circuitry affected by addiction may help guard against relapse

MEDNET partners with Axius Healthcare Group to distribute MedSafe

Purdue Pharma supports government prescription drug monitoring programs, grants NASCSA $200,000

Drug abuse expert Dr. Drew Pinsky and the Five Moms join in fight against OTC cough medicine abuse

Rural doctors, administrators push for health reform to include safeguards against Rx drug abuse

Wake Forest University School of Medicine honours researchers

Series of national television public service advertisements to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu virus

Ascensions Community Services founder receives the RWJF Community Health Leader Award

Vaccine to treat cocaine dependence reduces use of the drug, according to study

Study points to subtle differences between boys and girls' attitudes to multiple drugs

Scientists identify measures for reducing $2 billion healthcare burden from substance abuse

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

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