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Researchers at Rand Corporation conducted a study on buprenorphine prescribing practices for older adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) covered by Medicare in 2019 and 2020. The study found that while OUD prevalence has increased among older adults, access to treatment remains limited. The majority of buprenorphine prescribers were primary care clinicians and advance practice providers, with a small subset of clinicians prescribing most buprenorphine to older adults. The research suggests the need for scalable interventions to improve treatment availability for this population. [Extracted from the article]

Innocorp Ltd. has been issued a patent for a system and method that simulates opioid impairment using an eyewear device. The patent aims to educate users about the impairments caused by opioids by providing a first-person experience of the detrimental effects. The system includes an eyewear device with independently-controllable regions that can switch between different levels of opacity, allowing users to experience the effects of opioid impairment while interacting with activities like puzzles. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Alkermes Inc. in Waltham, Massachusetts, have conducted a study on opioid antagonists, which block opioid receptors and have various therapeutic uses. The study reviews the clinical utility, pharmacology, safety, and tolerability of FDA-approved opioid antagonists, highlighting their benefits and potential risks. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of opioid antagonists for their safe and effective use in medical treatments. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by RTI International examined the use of Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS) among people who inject drugs in the South Atlantic region. The research found that over half of the participants had used FTS in their lifetime, with varying levels of recent use. Factors such as witnessing an overdose and demographic characteristics like gender and race were associated with FTS use. The study highlights the importance of tailored interventions and the need to address the trauma associated with drug-related harm in the context of the opioid epidemic. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued for the treatment of opioid addiction using fibroblasts and their products by Spinalcyte LLC. The patent aims to address the increasing opioid overdose epidemic in the United States by providing safe therapeutic compositions and methods to manage addiction. The method involves administering fibroblast cells expressing specific markers to inhibit addiction and associated brain damage, potentially offering a new approach to treating opioid addiction and substance abuse. [Extracted from the article]

A patent application titled "Methods For Treatment Of Opioid Use Disorder With Cannabinoids" was published online by Ananda Scientific Inc. The application discusses the potential use of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and associated symptoms. CBD has shown promise in reducing anxiety, compulsive behaviors, and physiological stress responses, as well as decreasing the rewarding effects of morphine. The patent application outlines methods for administering CBD in pharmaceutical compositions to treat OUD, with a focus on reducing opioid cravings and negative affect in subjects. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers have submitted a patent application for a method and apparatus for detecting and auto-injecting a medicament, such as an opioid antagonist, into an individual experiencing an overdose condition. The device monitors biometric data and administers the medicament if certain thresholds are met, potentially saving lives in overdose situations. This innovation addresses the global opioid crisis by providing a proactive solution to combat opioid overdoses. [Extracted from the article]

Indivior PLC has released preliminary Q3 2024 financial results and updated their FY 2024 guidance, citing lower than expected net revenue for their SUBLOCADE product due to various factors. Despite this, the company maintains its expectation of SUBLOCADE's peak net revenue exceeding $1.5 billion. CEO Mark Crossley acknowledges challenges from competitor adoption but remains confident in SUBLOCADE's efficacy for opioid use disorder patients. The company is actively seeking efficiencies to support SUBLOCADE's growth and margins in the future. [Extracted from the article]

The patent application titled "Controlling Access To User Interfaces" by Click Therapeutics Inc. addresses the challenges in providing digital therapeutics to users for medical conditions. The application aims to regulate and control user access to user interfaces to improve the efficacy and engagement of digital therapeutic content. By providing users with a sample of the digital therapeutic content and monitoring their interactions, the system can personalize the full digital therapeutic content based on user engagement. This method also helps reduce security risks and optimize the use of computing resources and network bandwidth. [Extracted from the article]

A research report from the Friends Research Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, discusses adverse events following medication initiation for adolescents and young adults with opioid use disorder (OUD). The study focused on a clinical trial of long-acting injectable naltrexone (LAI-naltrexone) among youth aged 15 to 21 with OUD. Participants who received LAI-naltrexone experienced more adverse events, primarily due to injection site reactions, but there were no significant differences in overall adverse events one month after receiving LAI-naltrexone, buprenorphine, or no medications. The research concluded that LAI-naltrexone should be considered among the medications offered for the treatment of OUD in youth. [Extracted from the article]

A patent application titled "Methods For Treatment Of Pain With Cannabinoids" has been published online by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The application discusses the potential use of cannabidiol (CBD) for treating pain, particularly chronic pain, and its associated symptoms and neurocognitive impairments. The inventors propose a pharmaceutical composition containing CBD that is free of psychoactive cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to minimize adverse side effects. The composition aims to improve the bioavailability of orally administered cannabinoids, which are typically lipid soluble and have low water solubility. The application also suggests that the composition could potentially mitigate the need for increasing opioid doses in subjects prescribed chronic opioid therapy for pain treatment. [Extracted from the article]

EpiVario, a biotech company, has been awarded a $275,000 small business innovation research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to develop a novel epigenetic regulator as a treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD affects over 16 million people worldwide and current treatments are limited. EpiVario aims to reduce opioid-associated memories by targeting the metabolic enzyme ACSS2, which produces acetyl-CoA necessary for forming these memories. This grant marks a significant milestone in the fight against opioid addiction and could potentially expand treatment options for substance use disorders. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued for a medication disposal apparatus and methods of manufacture and use. The invention aims to address the problem of unused medications, including opioids, which can lead to addiction and fatal overdoses. The apparatus includes a collection chamber with a converter and a reservoir with a second converter to safely dispose of medication. The invention provides multiple stages of conversion and deactivation to ensure the medication is fully destroyed and cannot be accessed again. The patent was filed by Surgical Device Innovations LLC and published in September 2024. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses new research on the implementation of a four-day sublingual buprenorphine induction strategy followed by extended-release injectable buprenorphine in incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder who are not opioid tolerant. Topics discussed include the feasibility of the dosing strategy, the rates of adverse events reported, and the potential to reduce illicit drug diversion in jails.

The article provides information on a patent for compositions comprising non-racemix mixtures of (R) and (S)-3,4-methylenedioxymetahmphetamine (MDMA) or (R) and (S) n-methyl-1,3-benzodioxolylbutanamine filed by the inventors Leonard Howell, Nicholas Kadysyh, and Harpree Kaur on March 6, 2023 and published online on August 6, 2024. It mentions the patent number for assignee Pharmala Biotech Inc., background information on MDMA supplied by the inventors, and inventors' summary information.

A patent application titled "Salts And Polymorphs Of Mitragynine And 3-Deuteromitragynine" has been published by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The application, filed by Andrew Kruegel and assigned to Kures Inc., discusses the need for alternative salts and crystalline forms of mitragynine and 3-deuteromitragynine, compounds derived from the Southeast Asian plant Mitragyna speciosa. These compounds have potential therapeutic properties for pain treatment and opioid addiction. The application provides details of various salts and their characteristics, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment using these salts. This information may be valuable for researchers exploring the potential therapeutic uses of these compounds in treating pain, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and withdrawal symptoms. [Extracted from the article]

A YOUNG MAN WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER checks himself into a local hospital-based crisis response center for treatment. During the intake process, staff find him unresponsive and pulseless in the [...]

OpenGov, a leader in government cloud software, has introduced a new feature called Publications that allows local governments to communicate with communities and departments more effectively. Publications enables governments to present complex financial information and performance data in a user-friendly format, improving public trust and operational efficiency. This feature has been adopted by over 130 agencies across the country, with examples including budget books, health updates, and reports on the opioid epidemic. OpenGov aims to provide the best tools for local governments to strengthen public trust and success. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by the Rand Corporation examined the availability of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in community outpatient mental health treatment facilities (MHTFs) in high-burden states affected by the opioid crisis. The study found that approximately one-third of the surveyed MHTFs offered MOUD. Factors associated with increased odds of offering MOUD included being a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC), providing integrated mental and substance use disorder treatment, offering specialized treatment programs, and accepting certain types of health insurance. The study suggests that further research is needed to improve MOUD uptake in these facilities. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued to Allscripts Software LLC for an apparatus, system, and method for processing medical data in a computer system. The patent describes specialized computer systems for drug data processing, including the use of autonomous movable code to predictively determine if an opioid abuse condition exists. The system utilizes a learning logic to process the code and prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data, generating new code with information on the opioid abuse condition. This technology aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare management and prevent adverse drug-related events. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report by researchers at RTI International discusses the Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Prevention Cooperative's efforts to develop evidence-based interventions to prevent opioid misuse and use disorder. The objective of the study is to compare the impacts of different interventions on opioid misuse and identify which interventions are most effective for different individuals. The research focuses on harmonizing data across multiple studies and measuring opioid use experiences. The report concludes by discussing implications for future research cooperatives and the broader HEAL data ecosystem. This research has been peer-reviewed and is available in the journal Prevention Science. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Research Triangle Park, North Carolina discusses the urgent public health problem of opioid misuse, disorder, and opioid-involved deaths among older adolescents and young adults. The report highlights the scarcity of preventive interventions for those at risk for opioid misuse and opioid use disorder. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Preventing Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adolescents and Young Adults cooperative as part of its broader Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, which includes ten research projects aimed at developing effective prevention interventions. An important component of these projects is the inclusion of an economic evaluation to estimate costs, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of the interventions. The research aims to generate economic evidence for substance use prevention programming and provide policymakers and providers with critical information on investments needed for prevention interventions. The data collected will help demonstrate the valuable role that prevention can play in combating the opioid crisis. [Extracted from the article]

A new publication in JAMA Network Open presents data from a study comparing weekly and monthly buprenorphine injections to daily sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone in individuals with opioid dependence who use fentanyl. The study found that the extended-release buprenorphine injections were effective in treating opioid dependence, including among patients using fentanyl. The publication highlights the potential of these injections as a treatment option for individuals struggling with opioid dependence. The full publication is available online at JAMA Network Open. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by the Friends Research Institute Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland, examined the impact of patient and provider preferences on treatment outcomes for adolescents and young adults with opioid use disorder (OUD). The researchers found that when the treatment aligned with the preferences of both the patient and the provider, there was a significant reduction in self-reported days of opioid use. Additionally, patients were less likely to switch medication treatment pathways if they received their preferred treatment at the beginning. The study highlights the importance of considering patient and provider preferences in MOUD treatment for youth and young adults with OUD. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, explores the role of community engagement in substance use prevention programs. The study highlights the limited insight and guidance provided by implementation science on this topic and emphasizes the benefits of engaging community partners in prevention interventions, particularly for opioid use disorder. The researchers conducted a literature scan and found a growing body of research on the subject. The study concludes by offering suggested approaches for integrating implementation science and community engagement in substance use prevention programs. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by RAND Corporation found that only one-third of outpatient community mental health treatment facilities in 20 states with high opioid-related overdose deaths offer medication treatment for opioid use disorders. The study surveyed 450 clinics and identified factors that increased the likelihood of clinics providing medication treatment, such as being a certified behavioral health clinic and offering integrated mental and substance use disorder treatment. Many clinics that did not offer medication treatment referred patients to other clinics within the same treatment system. The study highlights the need to strengthen medication treatment services and assess the effectiveness of referral models. [Extracted from the article]

A patent has been issued for a method of controlling alcohol consumption in individuals being treated for opioid dependence. The method involves administering a sublingual dose of buprenorphine and naloxone to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids, while also engaging with a self-directed digital, interactive cognitive behavioral therapy program to reduce alcohol consumption. The program can be accessed online and includes modules for assessing drinking patterns, alcohol craving control, risk situation coping, and relapse prevention. This method aims to improve treatment adherence and outcomes for individuals with comorbid opioid dependence and alcohol misuse. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the RAND Corporation explores the barriers and enablers to establishing an addiction-focused consultation team for hospitalized adults with opioid use disorder (OUD). The study found that hospitalization presents an opportunity to initiate medications for OUD and connect patients to care after discharge, but this is often not done. To address this gap, the study tested the effectiveness of a hospital-based addiction consultation team called the Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START). The study conducted interviews with healthcare professionals at three study sites to understand potential barriers and enablers to implementing the team. The findings suggest that hospitals planning to implement similar teams should conduct a pre-implementation contextual assessment to address potential barriers and ensure the team fits within the unique hospital context. [Extracted from the article]

In the months after John Hindman lost his son to a heroin overdose in 2016, he discovered that he was not alone in his grief. As word of the tragedy [...]

At a recent meeting, attendees discussed what I would call the grim future prospects of many rural counties in Indiana and what Kerry Thompson, the executive director of IU's Center [...]

Objective: To estimate the own-price elasticity of demand for naloxone, a prescription medication that can counter the effects of an opioid overdose, and predict the change in pharmacy sales following a conversion to over-the-counter status. Data Sources/Study Setting: The primary data source was a nationwide prescription claims dataset for 2010-2017. The data cover 80 percent of US retail pharmacies and account for roughly 90 percent of prescriptions filled. Additional covariates were obtained from various secondary data sources. Study Design: We estimated a longitudinal, simultaneous equation model of naloxone supply and demand. Our primary variables of interest were the quantity of naloxone sold, measured as total milligrams sold at pharmacies, and the out-of-pocket price paid per milligram, both measured per ZIP Code and quarter-year. Data Collection/Extraction Methods: Primary data came directly from payers and processors of prescription drug claims. Principal Findings: We found that, on average, a 1 percent increase in the out-of-pocket price paid for naloxone would result in a 0.27 percent decrease in pharmacy sales. We predict that the total quantity of naloxone sold in pharmacies would increase 15 percent to 179 percent following conversion to over-the-counter status. Conclusions: Naloxone is own-price inelastic, and conversion to over-the-counter status is likely to lead to a substantial increase in total pharmacy sales. KEYWORDS change in demand, naloxone, opioid overdose, over-the-counter conversion, 1 | INTRODUCTION In 2016, approximately 2.1 million US persons, 12 years of age and older, had an opioid use disorder, (1) and over 42 000 US persons died from [...]

The round table was hosted by Poyner Spruill LLP and sponsored by the city of Greenville, Poyner Spruill and Scott Insurance. The transcript was edited for brevity and clarity. WHAT [...]

More people than ever before are using drugs illicitly, presenting employers with the costly burden of identifying and responding appropriately to workplace drug abuse. Failure to maintain a drug free [...]

Orexo, a pharmaceutical company, has published its Annual and Sustainability Report for 2023. The report highlights their efforts to make a difference for patients with opioid dependence, including the filing of a high-dose rescue medication for opioid overdose. The company also saw a recovery in their financial performance and aims to return to profitability in 2024. Orexo has been supporting the UN Global Compact's principles for sustainable development and recently issued a new social bond to finance their sustainability work and fight against the US opioid epidemic. The report provides more details on Orexo's sustainability efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Softwave Tissue Regeneration Technologies LLC has been granted a patent for their acoustic shock wave therapeutic methods, which can be used to prevent or treat opioid addiction. The patent explains that acoustic shock waves or pressure pulses can be used to regulate and stimulate glandular hormonal secretions. This technology can also be used to reduce a patient's pain caused by a medical condition or procedure, thereby reducing the need for addictive pain medications. The treatment involves administering acoustic shock waves or pressure pulses to reflexology zones or areas near the source of pain. This method has been scientifically validated to recruit and activate endogenous stem cells, providing long-lasting relief for chronic pain. By targeting reflexology zones on the hands, feet, or ears, as well as the area near the source of pain or medical condition, the shock waves can stimulate these zones, modulating the patient's response and reducing anxiety and pain. Additionally, this treatment can reduce inflammation and initiate or activate stem cells. It can be repeated over several weeks and can serve as a substitute for addictive medications with non-addictive alternatives. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by RTI International provides new insights into opioids and the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). The study aimed to understand treatment engagement and factors that may influence treatment experiences and outcomes. The researchers collected data from adult patients receiving OUD treatment at outpatient facilities in the United States. The study found that treatment retention not only led to abstinence from opioid use but also improved other quality-of-life metrics. The findings can inform OUD treatment and support the improvement of care and patient outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the RAND Corporation examines trends and disparities in the treatment of perinatal opioid use disorder (OUD) among Medicaid-insured women from 2007 to 2012. The study found that rates of OUD treatment and medication for OUD (MOUD) increased over the study period, but there were differences among racial and ethnic groups. Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women were less likely to receive any OUD treatment, and Black women were less likely to receive MOUD. The research concludes that while overall gains in OUD treatment were observed, disparities for Black and AI/AN women were obscured. [Extracted from the article]

The biopharma industry has found itself under political and societal microscopes in recent years, as executives search for answers to criticisms about high drug prices, shortages of vital therapies, and [...]

Dan Hunt remembers the day the posters went up in his hospital. 'Pain is the fifth vital sign,' they read. It was 2001 and the Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization, [...]

The digital revolution is finally taking hold in life insurance claims. Insurers are leveraging technology already employed in their revenue-generating operations and applying it to their claims management. Fully digital [...]

The United States is in the midst of its third drug crisis in the last 50 years. The statistics are bleak: In 2016, drug overdose deaths from opioids increased fivefold [...]

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the number of large tables in this article, we are providing a downloadable Excel spreadsheet containing all of the tables as a service to our readers. [...]

Like other states in America, Indiana currently finds itself in the midst of a severe public health crisis-the opioid misuse epidemic. This epidemic is, of course, the cause of immeasurable [...]

Alack of national standards and less than optimal oversight of many inpatient opioid addiction rehabilitation programs is raising questions about the level of services, personnel, and care many patients are [...]

In 2020, US biopharma companies face impacts from familiar business and policy issues--access to healthcare, patent protection, the cost of prescription drugs, the biosimilars debate, and the opioid addiction crisis--as [...]