FDA Requiring Labeling Changes for Opioid Pain Medicines, Opioid Use Disorder Medicines Regarding Naloxone
July 26, 2020
Silver Spring, MD – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced it is requiring that labeling for opioid pain medicine and medicine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) be updated to recommend that as a routine part of prescribing these medicines, health care professionals should discuss the availability of naloxone with patients and caregivers, both when beginning and renewing treatment.
Goal is to Help Reduce Opioid Overdoses and Deaths
American Heart Association reports Alarming number of Heart Infections tied to Opioid Epidemic
October 16, 2019
Dallas, TX – According to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the open access journal of the American Heart Association, an alarming number of people nationwide are developing infections of either the heart’s inner lining or valves, known as infective endocarditis, in large part, due to the current opioid epidemic.
As the nationwide opioid epidemic continues, more young people are developing a life-threatening heart infection that can result from drug abuse. (American Heart Association)
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Announces 2018 Legislative Agenda
February 4, 2018
Legislation includes Complete College Tennessee Act of 2018, Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018, UT FOCUS Act, and TN Together
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announced his legislative agenda for the 2018 session, continuing his focus on leading the nation in jobs, education, and efficient and effective government.
“We have made so many strides in higher education and workforce development, and we must not let up now. One of our top priorities this year will be making sure our students who receive Tennessee Promise and HOPE scholarships compete college on time, helping us reach our Drive to 55 goal,” Haslam said.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
Tennessee Democrats say Opioid Proposal Does Not Go Far Enough
January 22, 2018
Nashville, TN – Leaders of Tennessee’s legislative delegation today praised the plan presented by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to combat the state’s opioid crisis. The proposal features a three-pronged approach that focuses on prevention, treatment and law enforcement.
Democratic leaders today said the plan is a step in the right direction, but add the most effective thing Tennessee lawmakers can do to combat the crisis is to pass Medicaid expansion in the state.
Tennessee State Capitol
Tennessee Department of Health Finds Some Overdose Deaths Associated With Buprenorphine
January 8, 2018
Nashville, TN – Buprenorphine is an important part of treatment for many with substance use disorder, and coupled with therapy and support it can save lives. However, Tennessee Department of Health data show an increase in deaths associated with buprenorphine when the drug is used with another respiratory depressant.
As organizations and individuals across Tennessee work to reduce the impact of the epidemic of drug overdoses in our state, TDH is raising awareness of risks associated with buprenorphine when combined with other drugs.
Buprenorphine Coupled with Counseling Effective in Addiction Treatment, but Has Risk for Misuse.
Evidence containing Dangerous Drug Combinations submitted to TBI Lab
December 4, 2017
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agents with the Drug Investigation Division are concerned about recent evidence submissions to the TBI crime lab.
Two different pieces of evidence from ongoing drug cases contained a deadly combination of drugs, and Agents are worried that there are more lethal blends of drugs being sold and used that will have deadly consequences.
This a toxic mix of drugs that Forensic Scientists in the TBI labs have rarely, if ever, seen in evidence submissions.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation received two different pieces of evidence from ongoing drug cases contained a deadly combination of drugs.
Tennessee Department of Health reports Increasing Number of Tennesseans Dying from Drug Overdoses
September 19, 2017
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Health data show 1,631 Tennesseans died from drug overdoses in 2016, the highest annual number of such deaths recorded in state history. This is an increase from the 1,451 overdose deaths recorded among Tennessee residents in 2015.
“Each of these numbers represents a person, with family and friends who are now facing the loss of someone dear to them to a cause that is preventable,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH.
CDC reports Opioid prescribing is still high, varies widely throughout the United States
July 6, 2017
Washington, D.C. – The amount of opioids prescribed in the United States peaked in 2010 and then decreased each year through 2015, but remains at high levels and varies from county to county in the U.S., according to the latest Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In 2015 six times more opioids per resident were dispensed in the highest-prescribing counties than in the lowest-prescribing counties. This wide variation suggests inconsistent prescribing practices among healthcare providers and that patients receive different care depending on where they live.
1,451 Tennesseans Die from Drug Overdoses in 2015
November 17, 2016
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Health data show 1,451 people died from drug overdoses in the state in 2015.
This is the highest annual number of overdose deaths recorded in state history and brings the five-year total for Tennessee to 6,036 lives lost. That figure is approximately the equivalent of every person on 40 mid-size jet liners dying.
Deadly Epidemic of Substance Use Disorders Continues to Grow in Tennessee.
Tennessee increases availability of Naloxone to fight Opioid Overdose
September 13, 2016
Nashville, TN – Tennessee has a powerful new tool to fight opioid overdose with the passage of Public Chapter 596. This new law allows authorized pharmacists to dispense naloxone to a person at risk of opioid overdose or to a family member, friend or other person to assist someone at risk of an opiate-related overdose.
Public Chapter 596 sets up a statewide pharmacy practice agreement for what is called “opioid antagonist therapy.”
Public Chapter 596 alows authorized pharmacists to dispense naloxone for opioid overdose
