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Pain Politics Podcast

August 18, 2020 by John Burke

I was privileged to be interviewed by y good friend, Dr. Ziegler, founder of Pain Politics at www.painpolitics.org  These podcasts describe the problems associated with law enforcement and pain patients, and explain some of the issues when a prescriber is suspected of being involved in criminal activity. Dr. Ziegler has many additional podcasts concerning the problems faced by pain patients every day. I urge you to check them out!

Episode 10: Investigating doctors and stories about planes, trains, or automobiles

Episode 11: Investigating doctors and stories about planes, trains, or automobiles – Part 2

Filed Under: Abuse Prevention, Drug Diversion, Health Care Facilities, Pain Management, PDE News

A Good Start: President Trump and the Opioid Abuse Crisis

December 27, 2017 by John Burke

In late October 2017, President Donald J. Trump declared the opioid abuse problem in America a national emergency. In his announcement, he expressed concern for the thousands of addicts and their plight. Trump also discussed increased federal enforcement and referenced a recent indictment of Chinese citizens who are allegedly involved in the production and trafficking of fentanyl, which makes its way to the United States and kills our citizens.

As could be predicted when any president of either party makes a major announcement, there were detractors. Some criticized Trump for mentioning the crisis 2 months ago but just now deciding to declare an emergency; in other words, what took so long? Others thought that he didn’t go far enough and that the declaration was useless because it did not mandate any funding to fight the crisis. In addition, no mention was made of the use of naloxone, a lifesaving medication, or the expanded use of controlled medication to treat addiction. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Pharmacy Times Article Tagged With: Fentanyl, Heroin, Hydrocodone, Overdose, Oxycodone, OxyContin

Finding Balance Amid the Opioid Abuse Crisis

November 24, 2017 by comitsol

I have been around long enough to say that the pendulum swings back and forth regarding the feelings of “experts” on prescribing and dispensing drugs. In the 1990s, it was discovered that Americans were being undertreated for pain, something that I think was valid then and is still valid today.

The pharmaceutical companies initially produced more powerful and longer-acting opioids, morphine and oxycodone. The most successful and most abused was OxyContin, a product that has been used widely by legitimate patients and, unfortunately, illegitimately by others. Purdue Pharma went on to spend millions to not only develop an abuse-deterrent formulation but also assist law enforcement and others in reducing the abuse of its own medication.

The new, reformulated OxyContin found its way to retail pharmacies in August 2010. However, the already-stocked old drug remained on the shelves and did not become almost entirely unavailable until late 2010 or early 2011. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abuse Prevention, Drug Diversion, Pharmacy Times Article Tagged With: Abuse Deterrent Formulation, Heroin, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone

Who Is to Blame for the Opioid Crisis?

October 25, 2017 by John Burke

I find it interesting that many people pin the blame for the opioid crisis on pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors.

States, cities, and even small municipalities have jumped on board to sue the manufacturers and/or wholesalers of prescription drugs.

The lure of no-cost attorneys who only take a portion if a suit is successful has drawn many governmental entities into the legal arena. Of course, some of the politicians initiating the suits are up for re-election soon, which is probably not a coincidence.

One thing I have learned is that complex and difficult problems seldom have quick and easy solutions. The opioid crisis came about for multiple reasons, and identifying one cause as the primary or only culprit is wrong and counterproductive. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Drug Diversion, Pharmacy Times Article Tagged With: Hydrocodone, Overdose, Oxycodone, OxyContin

The War on Drug Abuse A 3-Pronged Approach

September 26, 2017 by John Burke

I have been in the business of fighting drug abuse for many years, just retiring for the final time from government after 49 years so I have seen the ebbs and flows. In the late 1960s, the heroin epidemic was raging in the inner cities, primarily affecting African-Americans. The heroin was 9% pure, compared with 50%-plus pure today, but the devastation was no different. Deaths due to overdose, violence in the form of robberies, and dealer wars were commonplace in some cities.

Along the way, the “War on Drugs” was announced. Ever since then, many of us have been asked if we are winning that war, with others deciding that we have performed dismally and that new efforts need to be initiated as the old ones aren’t working. Many think we lost the war on drugs some time ago. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Drug Diversion, Pharmacy Times Article Tagged With: Abuse Deterrent Formulation, Hydrocodone, Overdose, Oxycodone, OxyContin

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News Topics

  • Abuse Prevention (68)
  • Drug Diversion (118)
  • Health Care Facilities (44)
  • Pain Management (40)
  • PDE News (3)
  • Pharmacies (25)
  • Pharmacy Times Article (70)
  • Uncategorized (1)

How BIG is the problem?

Year after year, state and local law enforcement statistics indicate that pharmaceuticals are almost 30% of the overall drug problem in the United States, running a close second only marijuana abuse. However, until recently, law enforcement, health care professionals, and the general public have placed little emphasis on this huge problem.

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About PDE

Pharmaceutical Diversion Education (PDE) is designed to assist a wide range of the population in understanding the potential abuse and addiction that can be associated with prescription medication.

Drug Diversion:
Any Criminal Act Involving a Prescription Drug.

PDE Recent Articles

  • Pain Politics Podcast
  • A Good Start: President Trump and the Opioid Abuse Crisis
  • Finding Balance Amid the Opioid Abuse Crisis
  • Who Is to Blame for the Opioid Crisis?
  • The War on Drug Abuse A 3-Pronged Approach
  • Filling Prescriptions Under False Names

Areas of Discussion

  • Abuse Prevention (68)
  • Drug Diversion (118)
  • Health Care Facilities (44)
  • Pain Management (40)
  • PDE News (3)
  • Pharmacies (25)
  • Pharmacy Times Article (70)
  • Uncategorized (1)

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