India and US have joined hands to tackle the menacing fentanyl crisis by increasing efforts to foil attempts of its supply at borders and cracking down on its networking, PTI news agency reported quoting a top health official in the Joe Biden administration.&nbsp;

Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy, a position which is popularly known as Drug Czar, told PTI news agency that both the nations share a robust working relationship to work in this direction. The official also emphasised the importance of both the countries coming&nbsp;together to increase public awareness about the risks associated with fentanyl use and improving access to treatment for addiction. 
 
He said there is a need for continued cooperation and collaboration between India and US to address the global issue of fentanyl abuse.

"India has been very enthusiastic working with the United States to address this (fentanyl problem) because it understands the significance at a global level of leadership," he said.&nbsp;

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Dr. Gupta acknowledged India's position as a pioneer in combating the fentanyl crisis and said that the two nations are collaborating on various associated problems, including addiction, treatment options, and the overlap between mental health and addiction.

The Indian pharmaceutical industry, one of the largest in the world, can also play a critical role, he added.&nbsp;

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Dr. Gupta referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that India is the world's pharmacy and noted including bilateral working ties on synthetic medicines, mental health, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Expressing the enthusiasm in this realm, he said that the governments of the United States and India are collaborating to ensure that they are both reviewing their scheduling procedures.

Gupta said it&nbsp;is crucial for people to carry Naloxone or Narcan, an antidote for opioids like fentanyl, since they may be saving the lives of their loved ones.&nbsp;We must stress to young people how powerful they are, how they may save the lives of others, and how vital it is to always have naloxone with them because we never know who would be poisoned the next time, he remarked.

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<h2>Fentanyl menace in US&nbsp;</h2>

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid which is highly addictive, has become a major source of concern in the United States due to its illicit use and abuse. The medicine is responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths. In addition, many people who become addicted to prescription opioids may turn to fentanyl when they are no longer able to obtain their medication legally.

<h2>Biden administration launches campaign against fentanyl&nbsp;</h2>

US President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday launched the first phase of its campaign to "educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the life-saving effects of Naloxone, a medicine that reverses opioid-related overdoses."&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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India and US have joined hands to tackle the menacing fentanyl crisis by increasing efforts to foil attempts of its supply at borders and cracking down on its networking, PTI news agency reported quoting a top health official in the Joe Biden administration.

India and US have joined hands to tackle the menacing fentanyl crisis by increasing efforts to foil attempts of its supply at borders and cracking down on its networking, PTI news agency reported quoting a top health official in the Joe Biden administration. Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy, a position which is popularly known as Drug Czar, told PTI news agency that both the nations share a robust working relationship to work in this direction. The official also emphasised the importance of both the countries coming together to increase public awareness about the risks associated with fentanyl use and improving access to treatment for addiction. He said there is a need for continued cooperation and collaboration between India and US to address the global issue of fentanyl abuse. "India has been very enthusiastic working with the United States to address this (fentanyl problem) because it understands the significance at a global level of leadership," he said. Also Read | King Charles backs research to investigate links between royal family and slavery Dr. Gupta acknowledged India's position as a pioneer in combating the fentanyl crisis and said that the two nations are collaborating on various associated problems, including addiction, treatment options, and the overlap between mental health and addiction. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, one of the largest in the world, can also play a critical role, he added. Also Read | Indian posing as fraud prevention specialist dupes many US elderly, gets 33 months prison term Dr. Gupta referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that India is the world's pharmacy and noted including bilateral working ties on synthetic medicines, mental health, and the pharmaceutical industry. Expressing the enthusiasm in this realm, he said that the governments of the United States and India are collaborating to ensure that they are both reviewing their scheduling procedures. Gupta said it is crucial for people to carry Naloxone or Narcan, an antidote for opioids like fentanyl, since they may be saving the lives of their loved ones. We must stress to young people how powerful they are, how they may save the lives of others, and how vital it is to always have naloxone with them because we never know who would be poisoned the next time, he remarked. Watch | Rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia hold first high-level talks in seven years × Fentanyl menace in US Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid which is highly addictive, has become a major source of concern in the United States due to its illicit use and abuse. The medicine is responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths. In addition, many people who become addicted to prescription opioids may turn to fentanyl when they are no longer able to obtain their medication legally. Biden administration launches campaign against fentanyl US President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday launched the first phase of its campaign to "educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the life-saving effects of Naloxone, a medicine that reverses opioid-related overdoses." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US seeks India’s assistance in tackling fentanyl menace with multi-pronged strategy

The federal government on Thursday proposed new guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers that remove its previous recommended ceilings on doses for chronic pain patients and instead encourage doctors to use their best judgment.

But the overall thrust of the recommendations was that doctors should first turn to “nonopioid therapies” for both chronic and acute pain, including prescription medications like gabapentin and over-the-counter ones like ibuprofen, as well as physical therapy, massage and acupuncture.

Though still in draft form, the 12 recommendations, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are the first comprehensive revisions of the agency’s opioid prescribing guidelines since 2016. They walk a fine line between embracing the need for doctors to prescribe opioids to alleviate some cases of severe pain while guarding against exposing patients to the well-documented perils of opioids.

The 229-page document warns of addiction, depressed breathing, altered mental status and other dangers associated with opioids, but it also notes that the drugs serve an important medical purpose, especially for easing the immediate, acute agony from traumatic injuries such as burns and crushed bones. In those instances when opioids seem the way to go, doctors should start with the lowest effective dose and prescribe immediate-release pills rather than long-acting ones, the recommendations said.

The recommendations are now open on the Federal Register for public comment for 60 days. The agency will review the comments and most likely issue a final version by the end of 2022. Like the 2016 guidelines, they are suggested practices and not mandatory.

“We are welcoming comments from patients who are living with pain every day and from their caregivers and providers,” said Christopher Jones, a co-author of the draft and acting director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the arm of the CDC that released the new guidelines.

The guidelines do not apply to patients suffering pain from cancer or sickle cell, or are in end-of-life or palliative care.

The 2016 guidelines generated anger and fear in many chronic pain patients, many of whom rely on doses far higher than the recommended ceiling of 90 morphine milligram equivalents daily. Hundreds of pain medicine specialists protested as well.

Though the dosing ceilings were merely a recommendation, dozens of states codified them. Fearing criminal and civil penalties, many doctors misapplied them as rigid standards, tapering chronic pain patients too abruptly and even tossing some from their practices.

Studies show that the number of opioid prescriptions overall has been dropping since 2012, and the decline escalated after the 2016 guidelines came out.

The new proposed recommendations step back from the notion of one-size dosing fits all and instead builds in “flexibility to recognize that pain care needs to be individualized,” Jones said.

But the recommendations make it abundantly clear that doctors should regularly reassess the benefits and risks of opioids.

“The evidence around the long-term benefits of opioids continues to remain very limited,” Jones said.

In another indication that the CDC sees these new guidelines as a course-correction to the earlier ones, the agency now suggests that when patients test positive for illicit substances, doctors should offer counseling, treatment and, when necessary, careful tapering. Because doctors had interpreted the 2016 dosing limits narrowly, some had worked up one-strike policies and were summarily ejecting such patients.

Jones said that such results should instead be considered one piece of diagnostic information among many. An unduly high level of opioids could indicate the patient still has untreated pain or even a substance use disorder.

“If you instead retain the patient and have those conversations, there’s now an opportunity to improve the patient’s life,” he said.

Drawing from a mountain of research that accumulated in recent years, the proposed guidelines also offer extensive recommendations for the treatment of acute pain — short-term pain that can come with an injury like a broken bone or the aftermath of surgery. They advise against prescribing opioids, except for traumatic injuries, such as burns and auto accidents.

In granular detail, they compare the relief provided by opioids to that offered by alternatives such as exercise and acupuncture and other drugs. And they give fine-tuned recommendations for discrete areas of pain, such as lower back, knees and neck.

The guidelines, for example, note that opioids should not be used for episodic migraines. They endorse, among other treatments, heat therapy and weight loss for knee osteoarthritis, and, for neck pain, suggest options like yoga, tai chi, qiqong, massage and acupuncture.

The recommendations also say that many studies show that, over time, pain alleviation from opioids usually plateaus and then wanes, requiring ever higher doses.

“We never wanted to pretend that opioids aren’t really important tools,” said Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone, a professor of emergency medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who served on an advisory panel for the prescribing guidelines. “But after you’ve got that cast on, we’re going to wean you off those opioids. One long-bone fracture doesn’t mean six weeks of opioid prescriptions.”

The federal government on Thursday proposed new guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers that remove its previous recommended ceilings on doses for chronic pain patients and instead encourage doctors to use their best judgment.

The federal government on Thursday proposed new guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers that remove its previous recommended ceilings on doses for chronic pain patients and instead encourage doctors to use their best judgment. But the overall thrust of the recommendations was that doctors should first turn to “nonopioid therapies” for both chronic and acute pain, including prescription medications like gabapentin and over-the-counter ones like ibuprofen, as well as physical therapy, massage and acupuncture. Though still in draft form, the 12 recommendations, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are the first comprehensive revisions of the agency’s opioid prescribing guidelines since 2016. They walk a fine line between embracing the need for doctors to prescribe opioids to alleviate some cases of severe pain while guarding against exposing patients to the well-documented perils of opioids. The 229-page document warns of addiction, depressed breathing, altered mental status and other dangers associated with opioids, but it also notes that the drugs serve an important medical purpose, especially for easing the immediate, acute agony from traumatic injuries such as burns and crushed bones. In those instances when opioids seem the way to go, doctors should start with the lowest effective dose and prescribe immediate-release pills rather than long-acting ones, the recommendations said. The recommendations are now open on the Federal Register for public comment for 60 days. The agency will review the comments and most likely issue a final version by the end of 2022. Like the 2016 guidelines, they are suggested practices and not mandatory. “We are welcoming comments from patients who are living with pain every day and from their caregivers and providers,” said Christopher Jones, a co-author of the draft and acting director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the arm of the CDC that released the new guidelines. The guidelines do not apply to patients suffering pain from cancer or sickle cell, or are in end-of-life or palliative care. The 2016 guidelines generated anger and fear in many chronic pain patients, many of whom rely on doses far higher than the recommended ceiling of 90 morphine milligram equivalents daily. Hundreds of pain medicine specialists protested as well. Though the dosing ceilings were merely a recommendation, dozens of states codified them. Fearing criminal and civil penalties, many doctors misapplied them as rigid standards, tapering chronic pain patients too abruptly and even tossing some from their practices. Studies show that the number of opioid prescriptions overall has been dropping since 2012, and the decline escalated after the 2016 guidelines came out. The new proposed recommendations step back from the notion of one-size dosing fits all and instead builds in “flexibility to recognize that pain care needs to be individualized,” Jones said. But the recommendations make it abundantly clear that doctors should regularly reassess the benefits and risks of opioids. “The evidence around the long-term benefits of opioids continues to remain very limited,” Jones said. In another indication that the CDC sees these new guidelines as a course-correction to the earlier ones, the agency now suggests that when patients test positive for illicit substances, doctors should offer counseling, treatment and, when necessary, careful tapering. Because doctors had interpreted the 2016 dosing limits narrowly, some had worked up one-strike policies and were summarily ejecting such patients. Jones said that such results should instead be considered one piece of diagnostic information among many. An unduly high level of opioids could indicate the patient still has untreated pain or even a substance use disorder. “If you instead retain the patient and have those conversations, there’s now an opportunity to improve the patient’s life,” he said. Drawing from a mountain of research that accumulated in recent years, the proposed guidelines also offer extensive recommendations for the treatment of acute pain — short-term pain that can come with an injury like a broken bone or the aftermath of surgery. They advise against prescribing opioids, except for traumatic injuries, such as burns and auto accidents. In granular detail, they compare the relief provided by opioids to that offered by alternatives such as exercise and acupuncture and other drugs. And they give fine-tuned recommendations for discrete areas of pain, such as lower back, knees and neck. The guidelines, for example, note that opioids should not be used for episodic migraines. They endorse, among other treatments, heat therapy and weight loss for knee osteoarthritis, and, for neck pain, suggest options like yoga, tai chi, qiqong, massage and acupuncture. The recommendations also say that many studies show that, over time, pain alleviation from opioids usually plateaus and then wanes, requiring ever higher doses. “We never wanted to pretend that opioids aren’t really important tools,” said Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone, a professor of emergency medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who served on an advisory panel for the prescribing guidelines. “But after you’ve got that cast on, we’re going to wean you off those opioids. One long-bone fracture doesn’t mean six weeks of opioid prescriptions.”

CDC proposes new guidelines for treating pain, including Opioid use

US deaths from drug overdoses surged to a record 93,000 during 2020, driven largely by rising opioid use during the pandemic, official data showed Wednesday.

A provisional count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System showed 93,331 deaths for the 12 months ending December 2020, an all-time high, and up 29.4 percent on the year before.

Opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl, were responsible for 69,710 deaths,&nbsp;a trend in keeping with the last several years.

Deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, such as methamphetamine, were also&nbsp;up.

Deaths rose across nearly all states, with the biggest spikes seen in Vermont, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia and California.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to many increased stressors including financial hardship, social isolation and the disruption of school and health care, according to a recent report by the Well Being Trust.&nbsp;

Former CDC director Robert Redfield said in December people with substance use disorders were hit particularly hard by disruptions to daily life, and the agency was working with states to direct prevention and treatment strategies.

More than 500,000 Americans have died of opioid overdoses -- both prescription and non-prescription -- since 1999.

Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges over their drives to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids, which stoked a nationwide addiction crisis.

US deaths from drug overdoses surged to a record 93,000 during 2020, driven largely by rising opioid use during the pandemic, official data showed Wednesday. A provisional count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System showed 93,331 deaths for the 12 months ending December 2020, an all-time high, and up 29.

US deaths from drug overdoses surged to a record 93,000 during 2020, driven largely by rising opioid use during the pandemic, official data showed Wednesday. A provisional count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System showed 93,331 deaths for the 12 months ending December 2020, an all-time high, and up 29.4 percent on the year before. Opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl, were responsible for 69,710 deaths, a trend in keeping with the last several years. Deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, such as methamphetamine, were also up. Deaths rose across nearly all states, with the biggest spikes seen in Vermont, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia and California. The Covid-19 pandemic led to many increased stressors including financial hardship, social isolation and the disruption of school and health care, according to a recent report by the Well Being Trust. Former CDC director Robert Redfield said in December people with substance use disorders were hit particularly hard by disruptions to daily life, and the agency was working with states to direct prevention and treatment strategies. More than 500,000 Americans have died of opioid overdoses -- both prescription and non-prescription -- since 1999. Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges over their drives to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids, which stoked a nationwide addiction crisis.

US drug overdose deaths surged to record 93,000 in 2020

The maker of Purdue pharmaceuticals has pleaded guilty to to three federal criminal charges for production & sales of opioid drugs. The pharma giant has agreed to pay more than $8.3 billion.

Purdue Pharma to plead guilty; Pay $8.3 billion over opioids

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