Opioid use disorder

FORE Awards New Grant to Address Impact of Post-COVID Medicaid Policy Changes on Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

“Medicaid is the single largest payer for opioid use disorder treatment and a lifeline for people who are often at the highest risk of overdose,” said Karen A. Scott, MD, MPH., president of FORE.

Key Points: 
  • “Medicaid is the single largest payer for opioid use disorder treatment and a lifeline for people who are often at the highest risk of overdose,” said Karen A. Scott, MD, MPH., president of FORE.
  • This latest grant builds on previous support RAND received from FORE for projects to understand the impact of policy changes for prescribing and accessing buprenorphine treatment during COVID-19.
  • FORE was founded in 2018 as a private 501(c)(3) national, grant-making foundation focused on addressing the nation’s opioid crisis.
  • FORE’s mission is to support partners advancing patient-centered, innovative, evidence-based solutions impacting people experiencing opioid use disorder, their families, and their communities.

Adial Pharmaceuticals Awarded New Patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADIL; ADILW) (“Adial” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for the treatment and prevention of addiction and related disorders, today announced patent number 11,905,562 was issued on February 20, 2024 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Key Points: 
  • CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADIL; ADILW) (“Adial” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for the treatment and prevention of addiction and related disorders, today announced patent number 11,905,562 was issued on February 20, 2024 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  • The patent covers the Company’s lead investigational new drug product, AD04, and its ability to target the serotonin transporter gene for the potential treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).
  • “We are proud to be awarded another important patent that broadens our Intellectual Property portfolio and covers meaningful aspects of our lead asset, AD04, including its unique ability to target the serotonin transporter gene,” commented Cary Claiborne, CEO of Adial Pharmaceuticals.
  • “We believe AD04 has significant potential to treat OUD and other drug dependencies in addition to our initial indication of alcohol use disorder.

Groups Recover Together’s First Annual Outcomes Report Demonstrates Industry-Leading Results and Calls for Transparency in Data

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

The annual report demonstrates the organization’s success in working toward its mission: saving lives by increasing access to communities of recovery in the places where they’re needed most.

Key Points: 
  • The annual report demonstrates the organization’s success in working toward its mission: saving lives by increasing access to communities of recovery in the places where they’re needed most.
  • The report also invites providers to commit to increasing their own transparency and quality of services.
  • We hope our transparency inspires industry leaders to join us in sharing outcomes,” said Dr. Jacob “Gus” Crothers, the Chief Medical and Outcomes Officer at Groups Recover Together.
  • Read and download Groups Recover Together’s 2023 annual report.

Study Shows In-Network Insurance Coverage Significantly Improves Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Retention

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Published in Health Affairs , the peer-reviewed study found that patients receiving opioid treatment via in-network insurance overwhelmingly (72.3%) stayed in treatment for at least 180 days in comparison to those who were either out-of-network or uninsured and paying for treatment with cash.

Key Points: 
  • Published in Health Affairs , the peer-reviewed study found that patients receiving opioid treatment via in-network insurance overwhelmingly (72.3%) stayed in treatment for at least 180 days in comparison to those who were either out-of-network or uninsured and paying for treatment with cash.
  • Results highlight how insurance status impacts treatment retention rates and that not having in-network benefits can create a significant financial hurdle to receiving quality, life-saving care.
  • Conducted from January to September 2022, the study analyzed 3,842 patients – 1,613 in-network patients and 2,229 cash-pay patients – with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving evidence-based medications for OUD treatment via telehealth from Ophelia.
  • The study results highlighted a disparity in treatment retention rates that was simply not a difference between insured and uninsured patients.

Bicycle Health’s Second Opioid Use Disorder Index Reveals Persistent Gaps in Treatment

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bicycle Health, the nation’s largest provider of virtual opioid addiction treatment, today published population-level data on over 14,000 people who applied for Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment in the third quarter of 2023. Bicycle Health publishes new applicant data every quarter and makes it available for download. The data in the report covers applicant demographics, insured status, path to opioid use disorder, and access to the healthcare system. Additional population-level data may be added or requested.

Key Points: 
  • New population-level data shows that people with opioid use disorder (OUD) struggle to access treatment, even following the elimination of the X-waiver.
  • BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bicycle Health , the nation’s largest provider of virtual opioid addiction treatment, today published population-level data on over 14,000 people who applied for Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment in the third quarter of 2023.
  • The data in the report covers applicant demographics, insured status, path to opioid use disorder, and access to the healthcare system.
  • Bicycle Health’s quarterly state-by-state, population-level data updates on people seeking MOUD treatment provide insights into the diversity of this population.

Keystone Lab Announces Addition of Tianeptine to Testing Menu

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Keystone Lab , a dual-CAP accredited and CLIA certified lab based in Asheville, NC, has officially added tianeptine to its in-house urine clinical toxicology menu.

Key Points: 
  • ASHEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Keystone Lab , a dual-CAP accredited and CLIA certified lab based in Asheville, NC, has officially added tianeptine to its in-house urine clinical toxicology menu.
  • Keystone provides clinical and forensic toxicology testing services throughout the southeastern U.S. and is one of few labs in the southeast to offer testing for tianeptine.
  • In addition to tianeptine and its metabolite, tianeptine metabolite MC5, Keystone has also added clozapine, N-desmethylclozapine, aripiprazole, aripiprazole metabolite OPC-3373, modafinil, diphenhydramine, loperamide, and 7OH-mitragynine to its in-house menu.
  • "By adding tianeptine testing in-house, Keystone is able to listen to its clients and provide the best service possible to their patients."

Adial Pharmaceuticals Awarded New Patent Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

“Following a post hoc analysis of our ONWARD™ Phase 3 results, we identified patients with specific genotypes that responded extremely well to AD04.

Key Points: 
  • “Following a post hoc analysis of our ONWARD™ Phase 3 results, we identified patients with specific genotypes that responded extremely well to AD04.
  • Given the positive results, we believe the combination of our genetic diagnostic and AD04 can provide a tailored treatment solution for those who suffer from AUD and OUD,” commented Cary Claiborne, CEO of Adial Pharmaceuticals.
  • Among patients with the target genotypes, we believe the addressable market for AD04 is approximately $40 billion, in the U.S. alone.
  • We remain committed to further understanding the genetic factors that affect addiction and bringing a personalized approach to addiction with AD04.”

Santé's Expert Commentary on the Danger of Tianeptine or "Gas Station Heroin"

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

ARGYLE, Texas, Feb. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a new and urgent warning about using any products, such as Neptune's Fix, that contain tianeptine. They sent a letter on January 11, 2024 to convenience stores, gas stations, vape/smoke shops and other companies advising the retailers to stop selling any tianeptine-containing products. In November, they issued an initial warning and have continued to receive reports on the adverse effects of tianeptine, including seizures, loss of consciousness and death.

Key Points: 
  • In November, they issued an initial warning and have continued to receive reports on the adverse effects of tianeptine, including seizures, loss of consciousness and death.
  • There have been reported instances of individuals using tianeptine as an opioid substitute or to self-treat anxiety and depression.
  • In fact, tianeptine products are being touted "with claims to improve brain function and treat anxiety, depression, pain, opioid use disorder and other conditions.

  • "There have been reported instances of individuals using tianeptine as an opioid substitute or to self-treat anxiety and depression.

BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. Appoints Neuroscientist Dr. Kate DeVarney to the Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

ANAHEIM, CA, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) (the “Company”), a developer and provider of innovative treatment programs for substance abuse and related disorders, announced that its subsidiary BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., has appointed Kate Beebe DeVarney, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors.

Key Points: 
  • ANAHEIM, CA, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) (the “Company”), a developer and provider of innovative treatment programs for substance abuse and related disorders, announced that its subsidiary BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., has appointed Kate Beebe DeVarney, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors.
  • Dr. DeVarney is the President, Chief Operating Officer, and a Director of Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  She was previously Titan’s Chief Scientific Officer and has been with the company since 2007.
  • Lourdes Felix, CEO, CFO, and Director of BioCorRx Inc., commented, “We are honored and excited to welcome Dr. DeVarney to the BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals board.
  • I look forward to working closely with the management team to bring BICX104 to market.”

Aegis Sciences Corporation Announces Its Adoption of Self-Regulatory Standards for NPS Testing

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

NPS, also known as designer drugs, are produced to simulate the effects of legal pharmaceuticals or existing controlled drugs and often go unidentified by routine presumptive or definitive drug testing methods.

Key Points: 
  • NPS, also known as designer drugs, are produced to simulate the effects of legal pharmaceuticals or existing controlled drugs and often go unidentified by routine presumptive or definitive drug testing methods.
  • The CFSRE and the SOFT NPS Committee’s recommendations for NPS were designed to assist laboratories seeking guidance on which NPS and other emerging drugs they should test.
  • The recommendations are developed with timely, national data and information from external collaborations and outline different tiers for inclusion in testing.
  • “Laboratories must be committed to staying current with methods for detection and confirmation of new compounds," said Dr. Rebecca Heltsley, Senior Vice President, Research and Development at Aegis Sciences Corporation.