New Publication Describes Program for Monitoring Prescription Drug Abuse, Managing Risk

New Publication Describes Program for Monitoring Prescription Drug Abuse, Managing Risk

NAVIPPRO(TM) provides "real-time," product-specific surveillance data for scheduled therapeutics

Newton, MA (PRWEB) February 23, 2009 -- Inflexxion Inc., a company that creates scientifically validated and cost-effective solutions for critical areas of health care, is pleased to announce the publication of a study evaluating a core component of the National Addictions Vigilance Intervention and Prevention Program (NAVIPPRO). NAVIPPRO is a comprehensive risk management program for post-marketing surveillance of Schedule II and III medications. The program monitors, on an active, ongoing basis, indicators of adverse drug events, such as an emerging trend of abuse.

The article, entitled "National Addictions Vigilance Intervention and Prevention Program (NAVIPPRO): A real-time, product-specific, public health surveillance system for monitoring prescription drug abuse," appears in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety (December 2008, Volume 17, Issue 12, Pages: 1142-1154). It is authored by Stephen F. Butler, Simon H. Budman, Andrea Licari, Theresa A. Cassidy, Katherine Lioy, James Dickinson, John S. Brownstein, James C. Benneyan, Traci Craig Green, and Nathaniel Katz.

"The recent announcement from the FDA that the Agency will require companies with extended-release opioids to develop a class-wide, common Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) highlights the need for comprehensive, science-based pharmaceutical risk management," says Simon Budman, Ph.D., co-author of the study and Founder, President, and CEO of Inflexxion. "NAVIPPRO enables companies to track the abuse of all branded and generic prescription opioids in real-time, against a standard metric. It also provides tools for mitigating risk, such as PainEDU and painACTION, empirically tested programs that help clinicians and patients better understand appropriate, safe use of opioids."

NAVIPPRO integrates the key components of an effective REMS: national, real-time, product-specific surveillance; signal detection; signal verification; and empirically validated prevention and intervention programs. The study focuses on the ASI-MV® Connect surveillance component of the program, which includes the collection and analysis of "real-time" data from a network of substance abuse clinics across the United States.

"We examined client data collected on 41,923 admissions to 265 substance abuse clinics in 29 states, and assessed the representativeness, geographic coverage, and timeliness of report of the data," says Stephen Butler, Ph.D., lead author of the study, Chief Science Officer and Senior Vice President of Inflexxion. "Data collected by this network allow for the characterization of product-specific and geospatial differences in drug abuse, and can serve as a tool for monitoring the impact among the treatment center population of newly developed drug formulations."

NAVIPPRO was developed by Inflexxion with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and industry support from Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC. With our ongoing research and product development, NAVIPPRO is constantly evolving to meet Inflexxion's goal of advancing public health. To learn more about the program, visit the NAVIPPRO website (www.navippro.com).

About Inflexxion, Inc.

Founded in 1989, Inflexxion creates behavioral health solutions for prevention, education, and disease management. Inflexxion develops clinically tested programs for substance abuse and addiction, cancer, HIV, chronic pain management, women's health, and other health and wellness issues. These innovative programs help health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology firms deliver quality care to diverse populations. Our risk management division builds custom tools, products, and services to support the risk management initiatives of companies that research, manufacture, and market opioid pain medications and other therapeutic agents with potential abuse problems. Key offerings include NAVIPPRO, PainEDU.org, painACTION.com, and SOAPP®. Inflexxion is based in Newton, MA.

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Contact Information Lara Romanowski

Inflexxion

http://www.inflexxion.com

617-614-0406

Choose Responsibility Addresses Binge Drinking With Appearance on 60 Minutes

Choose Responsibility Addresses Binge Drinking With Appearance on 60 Minutes

Choose Responsibility, founded in 2006 by former Middlebury College President John McCardell, was featured prominently in Sunday evening's edition of 60 Minutes. The non-profit has gained significant traction in its efforts to address the pressing issue of alcohol abuse by young people.

(Vocus) February 23, 2009 -- Choose Responsibility (http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/), founded in 2006 by former Middlebury College President John McCardell, was featured prominently in Sunday evening's edition of 60 Minutes. The non-profit has gained significant traction in its efforts to address the pressing issue of alcohol abuse by young people.

Statement by John McCardell, president of Choose Responsibility (http://www.chooseresponsibility.org/): "Choose Responsibility commends 60 Minutes for taking a serious look at the growing underground drinking problem permeating our country, and underscoring the need for a broad national debate. We need to make it as 'uncool' to binge drink as it has become to drink and drive.

"Binge drinking is as serious an alcohol related problem today as drunk driving was two decades ago. The harmful, destructive and sometimes fatal consequences suffered as a result of this practice are crying out for more attention."

"Not only are young people drinking illegally, they are doing so recklessly and dangerously. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, underage drinking contributes to 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault among college students a year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that approximately one in six teenagers have drunk so much that they blacked out and couldn't remember what happened the night before. The results of this behavior are life threatening: More than 60% of the lives lost to alcohol are lost off the highways -- over 3,000 per year. Certainly these lives are no less precious than those that occur as a result of drunk driving crashes, and the families of these young people grieve no less as a result of their tragic deaths."

"Irresponsible drinking behavior is a serious problem that needs a serious solution. Our current approach and laws are not solving the binge drinking problem, and enforcement alone is not the solution."

To view the full 60 Minutes interview, please visit http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4819332n.

Contact:

Nick DeSantis

Office: (202) 543-8760

Cell: (585) 704-2207

E-mail: ndesantis (at) chooseresponsibility (dot) org

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Contact Information Nick DeSantis

Choose Responsibility

http://www.chooseresponsibility.org

(202) 543-8760

The first Intervention About Women Compulsive Gamblers Airs on A&E February 23, 2009 at 9 PM: Williamsville Wellness will be Featured

The first Intervention About Women Compulsive Gamblers Airs on A&E February 23, 2009 at 9 PM: Williamsville Wellness will be Featured

The show will be about an intervention and the growing problem of female compulsive gambling. Ten years ago only 3% of compulsive gamblers were women, today that figure is 46% or higher. Williamsville Wellness (located in Hanover, VA) specializes in treating compulsive gambling, is licensed to treat compulsive gambling (one of the only such licensed treatment centers in the US), encourages women gamblers with scholarships and a safe serene setting, and offers an individual approach to treating gambling addiction.

Hanover, VA (PRWEB) February 22, 2009 -- The first intervention about women compulsive gamblers airs on A&E February 23, 2009 at 9 PM. Williamsville Wellness will be featured.

Williamsville Wellness (located in Hanover, VA) specializes in treating compulsive gambling, is licensed to treat compulsive gambling (one of the only such licensed treatment centers in the US), encourages women gamblers with scholarships and a safe serene setting, and offers an individual approach to treating gambling addiction.

The Williamsville Plantation House, built more than 200 years ago, has been restored and has all modern conveniences and comforts, but retains the charm and serenity of a 19th Century manor. Neighbors like Patrick Henry visited the plantation and enjoyed its hospitality years and years ago, and patients will enjoy the same charm and hospitality now.

Williams Wellness offer a unique approach of mental, holistic, and physical therapy, offers patients the promise of freedom from gambling and a positive outlook and approach to life. The setting promotes wellness, introspection, safety and security, and aim to make the stay both pleasant and rewarding.

Williamsville Wellness provides an integrated approach to the process of recovery. The clinical director is Sherman Master, MD who manages a staff of psychologists, peer counselors, massage therapists, art therapists, personal trainers, hypnotists and specialized counselors, who all work together to create a synergy that accelerates the process of healing and change and promotes recovery in the shortest possible time.

The facility offers unique treatment plan developed with individual therapy and counseling, that leads to an understanding of the underlying problem, to abstinence, and to an improved life for the long term. Combined with group sessions and GA meetings, the approach creates a treatment program that offers the best chance of long term success.

Compulsive gambling is a progressive illness which is diagnosable and treatable. It affects the gambler, the family, the employer, and the community. It is called the "hidden illness" since there is no smell on the breath nor stumbling of steps or speech. Nonetheless, a gambling addiction is as debilitating as alcohol or drug addiction.

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Contact Information Bob Cabaniss

Williamsville Wellness

http://www.nongambler.com

804-869-9725