As Price Of Anti-Overdose Medication Strains Local Budgets, Advocates Eye Patent On Old Version Of Naloxone
Right now, a package of two Evzio auto-injectors has a wholesale price of $3,750 — up from $575 in 2014 when the decades-old version of naloxone won regulatory approval. Advocates urge the White House to invoke a law that would allow the government to use the patented invention without permission. In other news on the crisis: the downside of an addiction drug; DEA's crackdown nets arrests; Justice Department wants in on settlement negotiations with drugmakers; and more.
Stat:
White House Is Urged To Sidestep Patents On Opioid Overdose Treatment
The White House is being urged to sidestep patents on a high-priced opioid overdose antidote as one way to stem the rising cost of combating the opioid crisis. In a letter sent last Thursday, an advocacy group argues the White House should use a little-known federal law that would permit the government to take title to patents on Evzio. This is a decades-old version of naloxone, which is widely used to reverse the effect of opioid and heroin overdoses. (Silverman, 4/2)
ProPublica:
Addiction Drug’s Side Effect: More Overdoses?
At the very moment that the Trump administration has thrown its weight behind a particular medication meant to deter opioid addiction, a new paper in a public-health journal is warning that too little is known about one of the medication’s possible downsides: a heightened chance of overdose among those who stop taking it prematurely. (MacGillis, 4/3)
The Washington Post:
DEA’s Opioid Crackdown Brings Arrests Of Prescribers, Pharmacists
The Drug Enforcement Administration arrested 28 drug prescribers and pharmacists, and revoked the licenses of 147 people who handle controlled substances, as part of a nationwide crackdown on the illegal use and distribution of opioids and other prescription medications, the Justice Department announced Monday. The 45-day enforcement “surge” stemmed from a review, ordered by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, of 80 million drug transactions. The review revealed dispensers who sold disproportionately large amounts of drugs, particularly opioid painkillers, and sparked 188 investigations. (Bernstein, 4/2)
Reuters:
Justice Department Seeks Role In Opioid Settlement Talks
The U.S. Justice Department on Monday sought court permission to participate in settlement negotiations aimed at resolving lawsuits by state and local governments against opioid manufacturers and distributors. The Justice Department said in a brief it wanted to participate in talks overseen by a federal judge in Cleveland as a "friend of the court" that would provide information to help craft non-monetary remedies to combat the opioid crisis. (Raymond, 4/2)
WBUR:
Drs. Gawande And Murthy Discuss The Opioid Crisis — And What To Do Now
When Brigham and Women's Hospital surgeon and best-selling author Atul Gawande turns his attention to a health care issue, people take notice. But last week, during a Brigham-only event, staff packed an auditorium to, in Gawande's words, welcome another doctor "home." (Bebinger, 4/3)
And in Ohio, Minnesota and New Hampshire —
The Associated Press:
Old, New Drugs Creating Deadly Mixtures To Raise Ohio Tolls
New surges in use of methamphetamine and cocaine mixed with a powerful synthetic opioid are contributing to rising drug overdose death tolls in already hard-hit Ohio. As county coroners have begun releasing their 2017 tallies, a trend has emerged of more deaths involving meth or cocaine mixed with fentanyl, the painkiller blamed for increasing U.S. fatalities in recent years as authorities focused on reducing heroin overdoses. (Sewell, 4/2)
Minnesota Public Radio:
Minneapolis Police To Be Equipped With Anti-Overdose Drug
Minneapolis police want every officer to be trained by the end of the year in how to administer a medication called Narcan, which can reverse an opioid overdose. The program is rolling out as the city faces a big increase in reported overdoses in the first few months of 2018. (Collins, 4/2)
Cincinnati Enquirer:
Mercy Health Launches Partnership To Link Addicted With Treatment
Mercy Health – Cincinnati, which has stepped up its efforts to care for patients with opioid addiction, announced Monday that its Mercy Health Foundation has invested in Crosswave Health, the technology company behind the treatment finder. Users of FindLocalTreatment can type in their gender, insurance provider, ZIP code and more to locate accredited addiction treatment services in the region. (DeMio, 4/2)
New Hampshire Public Radio:
Sununu Vetoes Controversial Change To Parole Rules
Governor Chris Sununu has vetoed a bill relating to prison sentences for those struggling with substance abuse. In New Hampshire, if a prisoner is out on parole but has that parole revoked, he or she must be recommitted for at least 90 days. (Greene, 4/2)
Columbus Dispatch:
Licking County Plans Drug Lab To Bypass State Backlog
In Licking County, Prosecutor Bill Hayes said he has about 100 drug-related cases awaiting final lab results. In the meantime, suspected drug dealers and users are out on the streets, some committing more crimes. (Kovac, 4/3)
