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19 Results (showing 1 - 10)
Results sorted by updated date (newest first)
Results sorted by updated date (newest first)
Posted 1/19/2024 (updated 3/28/2024)
The FDA announced that the manufacturer of NARCAN 4 mg Nasal Spray products, Emergent BioSolutions, has extended the shelf-life of their product from 3 years to 4 years. This new extension of shelf-life was requested by the FDA to help prevent overdoses and reduce overdose-related deaths.
Posted 11/20/2023 (updated 3/28/2024)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the use of Alltest Fentanyl Urine Test Cassette, which is the first over-the-counter test for the preliminary detection of fentanyl in urine. The test works by placing three drops of fresh urine onto a cassette containing a fentanyl test strip. After 5 minutes the test result will appear as colored lines. Although the test does not distinguish between certain drugs and medications.
Posted 10/27/2023 (updated 3/28/2024)
As announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in January 2023, clinicians no longer need a federal waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder. Clinicians will still be required to register with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications. On June 27, the DEA began to require that registration applicants – both new and renewing – affirm they have completed a new, one-time, eight-hour training.
Posted 2/28/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
In November 2022, the FDA issued a letter providing information on the severe ulcerations that can occur from repeated xylazine exposure, withdrawal symptoms, and the interference xylazine can cause on successful treatment. The FDA continues to investigate the source of xylazine in the illicit drug supply. Health care professionals are strongly encouraged to report events in humans associated with xylazine exposure.
Posted 5/26/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Brixadi (buprenorphine) extended-release injection for subcutaneous use (under the skin) to treat moderate to sever opioid use disorder (OUD). Buprenorphine is a safe and effective medication for OUD treatment.
Posted 10/23/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
The Reagan-Udall Foundation partnered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the "Mitigating Risks from Human Xylazine Exposure" virtual and in-person webinar that occurred early October 2023. This public meeting explored real-world experiences and scientific evidence on emerging data trends for human xylazine exposure and examined concrete strategies for drug development and clinical research that directly supports the mitigation and reduction of risks associated with human exposure to xylazine. The meeting materials, recordings, and slides are now available for viewing.
Posted 4/14/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on April 22, 2023. If you have unused or expired prescription medications, you can locate a safe and convenient disposal drop off location using the U.S Drug Enforcement Association's (DEA) website. The DEA aims to help the public remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
Posted 4/4/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the makers of Narcan, an opioid overdose treatment, have the agency’s approval to make the drug widely available over the counter (OTC). Narcan is the brand name of the drug naloxone, a fast-acting overdose reversal. Until now, availability varied by state – typically restricted to licensed health care providers, approved opioid overdose programs, and first responders. This is an important consideration for rural counties given that research shows that these areas are nearly three times more likely than metropolitan counties to be a low-dispensing county for naloxone.
Posted 3/14/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced proposed rules for the prescribing of controlled medications via telemedicine beyond the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. One rule addresses the expansion of induction of buprenorphine via telemedicine encounter while the other covers telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances when the practitioner and the patient have not had a prior in-person medical evaluation. While opioid use disorders occur at similar rates in both rural and urban areas, medication assisted treatment (MAT) prescribers have been disproportionately located in urban areas. The public will be able to comment on the proposed rules until March 31st.
Posted 3/24/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
If you received specific disposal instructions from your healthcare provider (e.g., doctor, pharmacist) for your unused or expired medicine, you should follow those instructions to dispose of your medicine. The best disposal option is to find a drug take back location, which may be found in retail, hospital, or clinic pharmacies; and/or law enforcement facilities.