Monday, May 24, 2004

World Health Organization asked to keep buprenorphine as a treatment option for heroin addiction
Article at aidsmap - "A group of activists and physicians has asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent the proposed reclassification of buprenorphine as a narcotic. If successful, this will allow the use of the drug as a treatment for heroin addiction to continue, helping to curb the transmission of HIV through intravenous drug use. Buprenorphine can help heroin users to move from illicit substance use to recovery programmes by reducing craving and withdrawal symptoms and reducing the ‘high’ experienced after taking heroin. Unlike the similar drug methadone, which is used for the treatment of heroin addiction under restricted access, buprenorphine has a low abuse potential and can be given to patients in the primary care setting."  
  

Maker to Pull Antidepressant Off Market
AP story at Yahoo - "The maker of Serzone will pull the controversial antidepressant off the U.S. market next month, blaming a decline in sales rather than concern about a risk of liver failure. The end to U.S. sales comes after Serzone was pulled off the market in many other countries, and as maker Bristol-Myers Squibb was under mounting pressure from lawsuits. Serzone has been linked to dozens of cases of liver failure and injury, including at least 20 deaths. A Bristol-Myers spokesman confirmed the decision in an interview Wednesday, a day after the company notified wholesalers that distribution would end June 14."