On August 30 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced the agency’s Overdose Prevention Framework, meant to prevent drug overdoses and reduce deaths. A priority is expanding the availability of naloxone. On Sept. 22, the FDA issued guidance which makes it easier for harm reduction organizations to purchase naloxone in bulk. The Exemption and Exclusion from Certain … [Read more...] about FDA paves the way for harm reduction organizations to bulk-buy naloxone, thereby lowering the price
Study finds reduced overdose risk with expansion of telehealth under COVID-19
Expanding telehealth for treatment of opioid use disorder was associated with a reduced risk of overdose, according to a study funded by the federal government and released last month. According to the study, “Receipt of Telehealth Services, Receipt and Retention of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, and Medically Treated Overdose Among Medicare Beneficiaries Before and … [Read more...] about Study finds reduced overdose risk with expansion of telehealth under COVID-19
Former SAMHSA official on methadone alone
With all of the discussion about methadone by pharmacies, methadone by increased take-homes, and methadone by less regulation in general, we decided to ask Robert Lubran, former director of the Division of Pharmacologic Therapies at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), what he thinks about medication only – in other words, methadone without … [Read more...] about Former SAMHSA official on methadone alone
Methadone reform has gone beyond debate to proposed legislation, SAMHSA rule changes
If there’s any question that the proposed legislation entitled the Opioid Treatment Access Act (OTAA) now before Congress brings to mind, it’s this: Access to what? It may be access to methadone, period. Mark Parrino, president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), asked that question vehemently at the Coalition of Medication-Assisted … [Read more...] about Methadone reform has gone beyond debate to proposed legislation, SAMHSA rule changes
Medicaid audits in NY challenged by COMPA and other behavioral healthcare providers
A broad range of health care providers and consumers asked New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to approve A7889A/ S4486B, a bill that would make audits by the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) more fair, according to the 46 organizations sending the letter to the governor in August. While many groups signed onto the letter, the triggering storm was the … [Read more...] about Medicaid audits in NY challenged by COMPA and other behavioral healthcare providers
