Opioids News and Research

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An opioid is a chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The receptors in these two organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects and the side effects of opioids.

CDC grant to support community-based public health project in RI and CT

A $250,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will support a Rhode Island Hospital research study aimed at reducing the state's leading cause of accidental death among adults. Researchers will explore the use and effectiveness of statewide prescription monitoring programs (PMP) in reducing the number of accidental overdose deaths involving prescription opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin in both Rhode Island and Connecticut.

6 Oct 2010

Archimedes publishes FPNS clinical study results in Pain journal

Archimedes Pharma US Inc. today announced publication of results from a pivotal clinical study of Fentanyl Pectin Nasal Spray (FPNS) in the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).

5 Oct 2010

FDA, EMA and Health Canada approve Progenics' RELISTOR in pre-filled syringes

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) of the European Union (E.U.) and Health Canada, the Canadian Regulatory Agency, have each approved single-use, pre-filled syringes of RELISTOR® (methylnaltrexone bromide) Subcutaneous Injection for use in their respective territories. These pre-filled syringes provide a simplified dosing option for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in palliative-care patients with advanced illness.

30 Sep 2010

Advanced Targeting Systems receives NCI award to advance SP-SAP drug

Advanced Targeting Systems, the company that pioneered the targeting of specific cell types to manipulate them for the treatment of diseases and for research into the function of biological systems, has been awarded $3 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

24 Sep 2010

APF launches new educational initiative for people with pain, health care professionals

The American Pain Foundation today announced the launch of PainSAFE (Pain Safety & Access For Everyone), a new educational initiative designed for people with pain and health care professionals. The mission of PainSAFE is to provide education surrounding the appropriate and safe use of pain management therapies for people affected by pain and health care professionals, thereby, helping to reduce risk and improve access to quality pain care.

22 Sep 2010

URB937 drug boosts natural painkiller level: Study

A new study has shown how a novel compound boosts levels of a natural painkiller at the site of an injury. The ground-breaking study published today in Nature Neuroscience shows how the potential drug URB937 acts in peripheral tissue and may have the potential to relieve pain without the side effects associated with many current painkillers that act centrally on the nervous system.

20 Sep 2010

PNNL, 59th Medical Wing collaborate to improve drug tests for illicit usage

A new collaboration between the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Air Force's 59th Medical Wing hopes to improve on drug tests for illicit drug use and abuse. Not only are the researchers looking for a better indicator of current or past use, but they'd like to be able to identify people prone to abusing drugs in the first place.

18 Sep 2010

ACTION Ontario applauds Narcotics Safety and Awareness bill

ACTION Ontario, a non-profit group advocating on behalf of chronic pain sufferers, applauds the provincial government's Narcotics Safety and Awareness bill and encourages the government to take the next step and also address the underlying issue of pain with a comprehensive strategy.

17 Sep 2010

FDA Advisory Committee recommends approval of Alkermes' VIVITROL for opioid dependence

Alkermes, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 12 to 1 that VIVITROL® (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) should be approved for the treatment of opioid dependence.

17 Sep 2010

Survey reveals physicians’ misperception on misuse, abuse of opioids

Findings from a new national survey, sponsored by the American Pain Foundation, reveal misperceptions among physicians regarding the misuse and abuse of opioids. The results come in light of government statistics to be released today looking at the broader U.S. population, showing 2009 rates of nonmedical use of these products nationwide.

16 Sep 2010

Endoscopic laser spine procedures replace traditional open back surgery

The Bonati Spine Institute, the leading center for the patented Bonati Spine Procedures for minimally invasive laser spine surgery, supports recent studies by highly respected organizations such as the Journal of the America Board of Family Medicine and Consumer Reports reporting an unnecessary growth in tests and treatments targeting back pain.

16 Sep 2010

Using opioids at end-of-life care proves effective to control pain

Patients who choose to spend their last days at home with specialized care and monitoring can safely be given opioids to control pain and other symptoms without reducing survival time, according to a study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine (JPM), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

10 Sep 2010

Purdue Pharma to present Butrans Transdermal System CIII clinical program data at PAINWeek 2010

Purdue Pharma L.P. will present data from the clinical program for Butrans™ (buprenorphine) Transdermal System CIII in a series of posters at PAINWeek®2010, September 8-10 in Las Vegas.

10 Sep 2010

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario releases recommendations to target opioid public health crisis

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario released a set of wide-ranging recommendations to target the opioid public health crisis. The College is responsible for regulating Ontario's physicians in the public interest.

9 Sep 2010

C.A.R.E.S. Alliance launches online tools for addressing misuse and abuse of pain medications

The C.A.R.E.S. Alliance, a new patient safety organization, today launched a range of online tools designed to help solve the growing problem of misuse and abuse of opioids by identifying the risks associated with these powerful pain medications. The free resources offered through the C.A.R.E.S. (Collaborating & Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety) Alliance promote safety in prescribing, dispensing, using, storing and disposing of these commonly abused pain medications.

9 Sep 2010

CTTC's Calmare therapy effective against pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Competitive Technologies, Inc. announced today the publication of the detailed results from a study that shows the successful treatment of patients suffering from pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) using CTTC's Calmare® Pain Therapy Treatment

9 Sep 2010

Progenics commences Phase 3 trial of oral methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of an international 700-patient, phase 3 trial of oral methylnaltrexone in patients with chronic, non-cancer pain who are experiencing constipation as a result of their opioid-pain management regimens. The goal of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral methylnaltrexone to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in this patient setting.

8 Sep 2010

Governments called upon to recognize that access to pain management is a fundamental human right

Health care providers and researchers in the field of pain management are calling for governments worldwide to recognize the rights of people to the access of reasonable care for acute and chronic pain.

3 Sep 2010

CAMH welcomes Ontario's narcotics strategy to address inappropriate use of prescription opioids

The Government of Ontario's narcotics strategy will address the root causes of a significant and growing health problem - the inappropriate use of prescription opioids. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) welcomes the strategy announced by The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

30 Aug 2010

Researchers find smoked cannabis reduces chronic neuropathic pain

For people suffering chronic pain, smoked cannabis reduces pain, improves mood and helps sleep, according to new research published in CMAJ.

30 Aug 2010

Opioids News and Research

Further Reading

CDC grant to support community-based public health project in RI and CT

Archimedes publishes FPNS clinical study results in Pain journal

FDA, EMA and Health Canada approve Progenics' RELISTOR in pre-filled syringes

Advanced Targeting Systems receives NCI award to advance SP-SAP drug

APF launches new educational initiative for people with pain, health care professionals

URB937 drug boosts natural painkiller level: Study

PNNL, 59th Medical Wing collaborate to improve drug tests for illicit usage

ACTION Ontario applauds Narcotics Safety and Awareness bill

FDA Advisory Committee recommends approval of Alkermes' VIVITROL for opioid dependence

Survey reveals physicians’ misperception on misuse, abuse of opioids

Endoscopic laser spine procedures replace traditional open back surgery

Using opioids at end-of-life care proves effective to control pain

Purdue Pharma to present Butrans Transdermal System CIII clinical program data at PAINWeek 2010

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario releases recommendations to target opioid public health crisis

C.A.R.E.S. Alliance launches online tools for addressing misuse and abuse of pain medications

CTTC's Calmare therapy effective against pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Progenics commences Phase 3 trial of oral methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation

Governments called upon to recognize that access to pain management is a fundamental human right

CAMH welcomes Ontario's narcotics strategy to address inappropriate use of prescription opioids

Researchers find smoked cannabis reduces chronic neuropathic pain

Decoding Cannabis: Differentiating Hemp and Marijuana

Deciphering the Microbiome with The Microsetta Initiative

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

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