Content about Drug rehabilitation

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — The Foundation for Health Smart Consumers has announced a major expansion of its smoking cessation initiative through the Inspire Program, which will launch at the annual Retail Clinician Education Congress held in May in Las Vegas. The initial phase of Inspire will continue through 2014.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Amneal Pharmaceuticals has started shipping a drug used to treat opioid dependence, the company said Tuesday.

The generic drug maker announced the shipment of buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate sublingual tablets in the 2-mg/0.5-mg and 8-mg/2-mg strengths. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in February.

The drug includes a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, a program required by the FDA to ensure that its benefits outweigh its risks.

NEW YORK — Safeway pharmacists will use a program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy to help people quit smoking, under a partnership with the supermarket operator announced by the university.

Safeway pharmacists will receive training in smoking-cessation counseling techniques developed by the UCSF pharmacy faculty, while stores will locate OTC nicotine-replacement therapies near pharmacy areas, giving customers convenient access to the pharmacist.

WALTHAM, Mass. — One-of-every-4 deaths among Americans between the ages of 35 years and 69 years can be attributed to smoking, according to a study published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine. But smoking cessation efforts can help curb that trend, researchers noted. 

WASHINGTON — The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other advocacy groups last week released a report claiming that states are spending only "a miniscule portion" of their tobacco revenues to fight tobacco use. "The states have failed to reverse deep cuts to tobacco prevention and cessation programs that have undermined the nation’s efforts to reduce tobacco use," the advocacy groups stated. 

CINCINNATI — A new University of Cincinnati study released last week examined how anxiety sensitivity can thwart the efforts of smokers with asthma to quit smoking. This new direction of research from Alison McLeish, a UC assistant professor of psychology, was presented Nov.17 at the 46th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in National Harbor, Md.

RICHMOND, Va. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals for treating addiction to opioid drugs, the drug maker said.

Reckitt Benckiser announced the approval of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film in the 4 mg and 12 mg strengths, used for the maintenance treatment of dependence on prescription opioid painkillers and heroin. Addiction to opioid drugs is a growing epidemic in the United States, the company said.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — To help its members keep their New Year's resolutions, including weight loss, eating better and quitting smoking, Sam's Club will offer a variety of free in-club health screenings and smoking-cessation consultations.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday awarded $137 million to states to boost prevention and public health initiatives, including support for smoking-cessation programs and vaccinations.

Awarded in nearly every state, the grants enhance state, tribal, local and territorial efforts to provide tobacco cessation services, strengthen public health laboratory and immunization services, prevent healthcare-associated infections, and provide comprehensive substance abuse prevention and treatment.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Many patients with heart failure skip pills due to medication costs, according to research by the Mayo Clinic.

The study, published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, tracked the pharmacy records of 209 patients ages 60 to 86 years in Olmsted County, Minn., who were asked how often they missed doses or didn’t take their drugs at all and why.

SILVER SPRING, Md. The Food and Drug Administration approved a drug to treat and prevent relapse after patients with opioid dependence have undergone detoxification treatment.

Vivitrol is an extended-release formulation of naltrexone -- which works to block opioid receptors in the brain -- administered by intramuscular injection once a month. It only is administered by a physician.