opioid

Since at least 2009, McKinsey & Co. has been a consultant to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the federal agency that oversees healthcare for millions of retired military service members. During part of that time, the consulting giant also advised some of the world’s biggest opioid producers to target the agency for sales of their products, according to newly released documents. The firm advised opioid companies including Purdue Pharma LP and Endo International PLC on how to increase sales…

The researcher hopes the findings will help caregivers—who may be raising kids for the first time in decades—to gain social support and build family competence. Credit: Ekaterina Shakharova on Unsplash For family members unexpectedly taking care of a relative's child during the opioid crisis, it can be difficult to navigate the legal waters of assuming custody. The process may be easier—and come with more support—if these…

Application of AI for Opioid treatment optimizes drug discovery bypassing the time-consuming traditional methods Opioid disorders affect around three million Americans every year and 80,000 Americans die from an overdose. When Opioid receptors are activated, it gives the drug user a feeling of euphoria. The addiction the drugs induce weakens the person physically, sometimes leading to death. Traditional treatment methods employing drugs may not be the best one. And also, the process of discovering a drug that can block…

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are now the main drivers of fatal overdoses in the US, yet current treatment of the addiction is haphazard and often prohibitive. But new research has uncovered a neurological mechanism that could lead to targeted and more effective medical responses.Scientists at the Texas A&M University School of Medicine have identified a specific circuit in the striatum, the brain’s reward hub that controls voluntary movement and behavior, from which many negative emotional states stem from during…

A compound generated by artificial intelligence-based tools predicted to bind to the kappa-opioid receptor. Credit: Image courtesy of Leslie Salas EstradaResearchers are turning to artificial intelligence to create and optimize potential new drugs to help people with opioid addiction.It is estimated that about three million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder, and every year more than 80,000 Americans die from overdoses. Opioid drugs, such as heroin, <span class="glossaryLink"…

The Food and Drug Administration's independent advisors on Wednesday unanimously recommended over-the-counter use of the nasal spray Narcan to reverse opioid overdoses, which would significantly expand access to the life-saving treatment. Emergent BioSolutions' Narcan is the most commonly sold treatment for opioid overdoses. The FDA is expected to make a decision by March 29 on whether to allow people to buy the four milligram nasal spray without a prescription. The agency is not required to accept its advisors…

Opioid addiction is a serious public health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the compulsive use of opioids despite negative consequences, such as health problems, relationship troubles, and financial difficulties. The addiction can be caused by a variety of factors, including chronic pain, mental health issues, and exposure to opioid drugs.Discontinuation of opioid therapy for pain may increase the risk of overdose in patients.Opioid-related overdose has become a major contributor…

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often prescribed to manage severe pain, but it also has a high potential for addiction and overdose. Long-term use of fentanyl can lead to physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.A mouse and cell study has yielded promising results, offering hope that scientists may be able to mitigate the harmful effects of <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div…

The overdose epidemic in America is a complex issue, costing 100,000 lives annually and reversing progress in life expectancy. However, researchers at the University of Southern California have discovered that a low-cost intervention, a notification letter to providers about their patient’s overdose death, can make a difference.Study led by researchers with <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>USC</div><div…

WASHINGTON—The Justice Department has sued AmerisourceBergen Corp. ABC -0.48% , alleging the large drug distributor contributed to the prescription opioid epidemic by failing to report suspicious orders to law enforcement.Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said during a news conference Thursday that AmerisourceBergen could face billions of dollars in civil penalties if found liable in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in…