Author: Pollen Williamson

FDA Approves Monthly Buprenorphine Injection

FDA Approves Monthly Buprenorphine Injection

Posted by | Dec 1, 2017 | |

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Sublocade, the first once-monthly injectable buprenorphine product for the treatment of moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder (OUD) in adult patients who have initiated treatment with a transmucosal (absorbed through mucus membrane) buprenorphine-containing product. It is indicated for patients that have been on a stable dose of buprenorphine treatment for a minimum of seven days. FDA Press Release Indivior Press Release Sublocade Fact...

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Updated Stop Act FAQs from NC Medical Board

Updated Stop Act FAQs from NC Medical Board

Posted by | Nov 28, 2017 | |

Additional questions and answers about the state’s new opioids law, the STOP Act of 2017, have been added to the FAQs document. New additions to the list include: Information about NCMB’s definition of “consultation” between a PA or NP and his or her supervisor prior to prescribing Schedule II/III opioids (see article) Clarification as to whether a primary care practice that offers pain management as part of a full spectrum of primary care services is considered a “pain clinic” Guidance on how limits on initial prescriptions for acute pain apply when the patient being treated for acute pain is...

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FDA Statement on Abuse-Deterrent Opioids

FDA Statement on Abuse-Deterrent Opioids

Posted by | Nov 21, 2017 | |

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, has issued a statement on the steps being taken to promote development of generic versions of opioids formulated to deter abuse. “As we continue to confront the staggering human and economic toll created by opioid abuse and addiction, we’re focused on taking actions that reduce the scope of new addiction by decreasing unnecessary exposure to opioids. At the same time, we also must take steps to help those with acute and chronic pain who need access to medicines, including opioids, get access to improved alternatives…” Read Full Statement...

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Webinar Series: Support for Hospital Opioid Use Treatment (SHOUT)

Webinar Series: Support for Hospital Opioid Use Treatment (SHOUT)

Posted by | Nov 21, 2017 | |

Hospitalizations for people with opioid use disorder represent an ideal time to start treatment. Project SHOUT helps hospitals start buprenorphine and methadone services, with coaching from University of California San Francisco specialists. The SHOUT webinar series addresses: Inpatient Opioid Agonist Therapy Buprenorphine and Methadone Induction Acute Pain and Perioperative Management in Opioid Use Disorder Buprenorphine and Methadone in Pregnancy Logistics of OAT for the Inpatient Hospital Setting Removing Barriers to Implementation Learn More and...

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Reducing Opioid Use While Managing Chronic Pain

Reducing Opioid Use While Managing Chronic Pain

Posted by | Nov 12, 2017 | |

A $9 million study, led by RTI International, aims to provide strategies for reducing opioid use among patients who are not benefitting from it while ensuring access to those who are benefitting. RTI will collaborate with the Mid-South Clinical Data Research Network which is centered at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and includes Duke University Health System and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. More than 1,000 patients from North Carolina and Tennessee, states with high opioid use rates, will be enrolled in the study. Researchers will compare two interventions to evaluate their effect on opioid dosage, physical functioning and...

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