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FDA approves Vivitrol for treatment of opioid-dependent patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Vivitrol to treat and prevent relapse after patients with opioid dependence have undergone detoxification treatment.

13 Oct 2010

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

Increase in sales of new antidepressants not linked to decline in suicide rate

Many researchers have studied the relationship between the increase in sales of new antidepressants in recent decades and a simultaneous decline in the suicide rate. In a study based on figures from the Nordic countries, researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found no evidence that increased sales of the new medicines could be linked to a lower suicide rate. The researchers also did not find any relationship between reduced sales of the older and more toxic antidepressants and a reduction in suicide rates.

30 Sep 2010

NABP seeks to educate public about rogue Internet drug outlets, counterfeit medications

Earlier this year, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) was introduced to the AWARxE campaign, which was created and implemented by the Minnesota Pharmacists Foundation in 2007. Moved by the power of the campaign, NABP obtained the AWARxE program so that its message could be shared on a national level.

30 Sep 2010

Scientists discover simple blood test for accurate diagnoses of liver damage

Scientists have discovered that the presence of specific proteins in the blood are indicative of early liver cell damage and can determine the point at which cell death occurred, the type of cell death, and the extent of any damage. This could lead to liver damage being assessed faster and more accurately in the future information which could prove valuable when treating people following drug overdoses.

18 Sep 2010

Kings Cross drug injection center to become permanent fixture

After running for quite some time amidst intense debates, the New South Wales Government has announced plans to make the medically-supervised drug injecting centre at Kings Cross a permanent fixture. This unit has been functioning since 2001 and was still looking for permanency. A latest review of this trial center showed that it has successfully managed more than 3,000 overdoses and helped 12,000 drug users.

15 Sep 2010

Fate of Vancouver's supervised injection facility uncertain

Despite medical research that indicates Vancouver's supervised injection facility, Insite, reduces needle-sharing and overdose deaths, the facility's fate is uncertain, states an analysis article in CMAJ.

31 Aug 2010

Latest achievements in brain research and treatment for mental disorders

Mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, addiction and schizophrenia are the core challenge of most health care systems around the world. In the EU alone, each year 27% of the total adult population - this corresponds to 83 Million citizens - suffer from mental disorders. Depression alone affects almost 20 million ranking in the EU as the most disabling disorder of all diseases.

30 Aug 2010

Misuse of OTC medicines increases risk for children

Many children are being put at risk by parents over-use of widely available over the counter (OTC) medicines for fever, coughs and colds, says a study from Australia to be presented to the annual conference of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) today (Monday 30 August).

30 Aug 2010

23rd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress to be held 28 Aug - 1 Sep 2010 in Amsterdam

26 Aug 2010

FDA extends review on Acetadote for non-acetaminophen acute liver failure

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended its review of the supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the use of Acetadote® (acetylcysteine) Injection in patients with non-acetaminophen acute liver failure.

21 Aug 2010

Pisgah Labs receives Notice of Allowance for new patent relating to thyroid hormone drugs

Today, Pisgah Labs, Inc. received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark office for an important new technology patent addressing global stability problems of thyroid hormone drugs.

17 Aug 2010

Painkiller combinations cost more but are less effective: Report

In a new article in the journal Australian Prescriber, there is a warning that combination painkillers cause more side effects and may not provide the relief promised. This comes from the National Prescribing Service (NPS), Australia's medicine review body.

1 Aug 2010

Expert to speak on challenges, issues in development, implementation of REMS

At two Food and Drug Administration meetings, Sidney H. Schnoll, MD, PhD, Vice President, Pharmaceutical Risk Management Services of PinneyAssociates, will discuss the need for predictability, feasibility and transparency to ensure that Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies benefit patient safety and public health.

23 Jul 2010

Doctors warn using domestic spoons can result in drug overdose

Parents are being urged not to use domestic spoons to give children medicine after a study found significant differences in capacity.

14 Jul 2010

Evidence-based guidelines could help prevent dangerous radiation overdoses, says MedSolutions

Utilization management programs that use evidence-based guidelines to ensure appropriate use of diagnostic imaging tests could help prevent dangerous radiation overdoses like the one highlighted in a recent New England Journal of Medicine editorial, said MedSolutions, a leading provider of medical management services.

14 Jul 2010

Deaths from heroin overdoses in Chicago's Cook County fall 16%: Study

A new study by Roosevelt University's Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy shows deaths from heroin overdoses in Chicago's Cook County fell 16 percent during the last decade, but the Chicago metropolitan region still ranks among the worst in the nation for heroin use. Kimberly Dennis, M.D., eating disorder specialist at Chicago's Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, sees the use of heroin regularly from women and girls she treats and knows the importance of awareness and seeking help to overcome this addiction.

12 Jul 2010

ASA provides tips to help parents protect children from over-the-counter drug abuse

In recent years, a growing and potentially life-threatening trend known as Robo tripping, the abuse of over-the-counter cough and cold medications, has emerged among America's youth. As the Society representing the front-line physicians responsible for treating patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who have overdosed on over-the-counter medications, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has developed information to help parents recognize the signs of Robo tripping and to prevent overdose and longer-term health complications.

8 Jul 2010

GSK, XenoPort disappointed with GSK1838262/XP13512 phase 2b study for migraine headaches

GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort, Inc. announced today that GSK1838262/XP13512 (gabapentin enacarbil) did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement compared to placebo as a prophylactic treatment for migraine headaches. This phase 2b dose-ranging study evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of GSK1838262 in adults diagnosed with migraine headache (with or without aura) according to the International Headache Society criteria.

8 Jul 2010

Kansas doctor and wife found guilty of prescribing painkillers, causing deaths

"A federal jury Thursday found a Kansas doctor and his wife guilty of conspiring to profit from illegally prescribing painkillers to dozens of patients who later died, in a case highlighting medical treatment of chronic pain sufferers and prescription drug abuse."

28 Jun 2010