Join Us Today for CEPOP’s April 2020 All-Participant Call!

Please join us at 3:00pm today for CEPOP’s April 2020 All-Participants teleconference, held via WebEx. Building upon our discussion last month around the confluence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing opioid epidemic, we’re pleased to share two fantastic topic speakers for this month’s call:

  • Dr. Carlos Blanco, MD, PhD, Division Director for Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health
  • Gabrielle de la Guéronnière, Director of Policy, Legal Action Center

Please see the agenda for today’s call.

CEPOP All-Participants Teleconference Logistics (April 2020)
Join WebEx

Or, to join via conference call:
Conference Line: (855) 244-8681
Participant Code: 622 353 439

FDA Targets Two For Fraudulent Claims Around CBD and Opioid Addiction Treatment

On Thursday, the FDA announced that it had taken action against two companies for improper claims and illegal sale of unapproved CBD-containing products that violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Both warning letters highlighted language used on each respective website that touted efficacy as alternatives to opioids or in the treatment of opioid addiction and withdrawal mitigation.

As part of the announcement, Principal Deputy Commissioner Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD, noted, “The opioid crisis continues to be a serious problem in the United States, and we will continue to crack down on companies that attempt to benefit from selling products with unfounded treatment claims…CBD has not been shown to treat opioid addiction. Opioid addiction is a real problem in our country, and those who are addicted need to seek out proper treatment from a health care provider.”

Articles & Resources

FDA Newsroom – FDA Warns Companies Illegally Selling CBD Products to Treat Medical Conditions, Opioid Addiction

FDA Warning Letter – BIOTA Biosciences

FDA Warning Letter – Homero Corp d.b.a. Natures CBD Oil Distribution

What We Read Last Week

Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the issue. Links to relevant articles are provided below.

Articles & Resources

Journal of the American Medical Association – Association of Racial/Ethnic Segregation With Treatment Capacity for Opioid Use Disorder in Counties in the United States

Journal of the American Medical Association – Association of Formulary Prior Authorization Policies With Buprenorphine-Naloxone Prescriptions and Hospital and Emergency Department Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries

NPR: Shots – Online Treatment for Opioid Addiction Gest a Boost Under Coronavirus Rules

Omaha World-Herald – Feds: Nebraska Pharmacist, Virginia Drug Dealer Plotted to Blow Up Rival Pharmacy in Auburn

National Geographic – The Pandemic May Fuel the Next Wave of the Opioid Crisis

Philadelphia Inquirer – Portugal’s Answer to the Heroin Crisis. Why Philadelphia is Looking to Europe for Help With America’s Worst Big-City Drug Epidemic

Cincinnati Enquirer – Overdose Victims Charged with Violating Stay-at-Home Order. Experts Question Response, Effectiveness

Kaiser Health News – Vaping, Opioid Addiction Accelerate Coronavirus Risks, Says NIDA Director

Kaiser Health News – COVID Crisis Opens Access to Online Opioid Addiction Treatment

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy  – COVID Crisis Opens Access to Online Opioid Addiction Treatment

DEA Newsroom – DEA Launches Secure Your Meds Campaign, Calls on Americans to Keep Medications Safe

NIH Director’s Blog – Coping with the Collision of Public Health Crises: COVID-19 and Substance Use Disorders

Nora’s Blog (NIDA) – Addressing the Stigma that Surrounds Addiction

This Week’s Calendar

We hope that everyone is remaining safe and healthy during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Given the ongoing circumstances, there are no hearings or relevant events noticed at this time. At this point in time, members of the House and Senate are back in-district In the instance that there are any changes to the schedule for this week, we will make additional information available.

  • DOL-OHSA Advisory Committee on Construction Health and Safety – April 28 (Postponed) Emerging and Current Issues Workgroup on Opioids and Suicides in Construction

Questions about the above content can be directed to [email protected].