HHS Eliminates Waiver Requirement for DEA Registered Physicians

As of Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has expanded the access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) by giving physicians exemptions from certain certifications required to prescribe MAT medication. This exemption only applies to drugs covered under the Controlled Substances Act, which notably excludes methadone. Physicians who plan to take advantage of this exemption will be limited to treating no more than 30 patients with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD). Studies have consistently shown that recovering patients with OUD are much less likely to relapse when utilizing MAT.

New Clinical Trials Shows Success in Using a Combination of Two Drugs to Treat Methamphetamine Use Disorder

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicinestudied the use of naltrexone plus bupropion to treat methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). There is no medication that has been approved specifically for the treatment of MUD. Both drugs have shown positive effects in treating MUD independently, however their use in conjunction had not been tested until now. This studyassessed the safety and success of injectable naltrexone (every three weeks) combined with a daily dose of oral bupropion in comparison with the placebo in adult outpatients with moderate or severe MUD. On average at the end both stages of the study, 19.8% of the naltrexone-bupropion group participants had urine samples negative of methamphetamine (this showed that the medication combination was successful in terms of alleviating withdrawal symptoms and cravings) in comparison to the 12.8% methamphetamine-negative urine samples in the placebo group. Though the overall response in each stage of the study was low, the difference between the two groups was significant and speaks to the need for further exploration into medicinal treatment of MUD.

Funding Opportunity: SAMHSA Grants to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths

The SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatmenthas started accepting applications for the 2021 fiscal year Grants to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths. This program aims to decrease the number of fatal prescription drug/opioid overdoses and related adverse events among adults 18 years and older. The program emphasizes the training of first responders and other key community groups on the prevention of prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths and implementing secondary prevention strategies, including the purchase and distribution of naloxone to first responders.

Applications must be submitted on or before March 1.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Webinar on Expanding Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Corrections and Community Settings

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET, Feb. 9

The National Governors Association (NGA) and American Correctional Association (ACA) are hosting a webinar in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This webinar will provide a framework for governors and correctional officers on the development of solutions on reducing opioid use disorder among people in the justice system and those getting ready to return their communities.

To register click here.

Virtual Meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. ET, Feb. 16

The Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (BSC/NCIPC) are advisors to the Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the director of the CDC, and the director NCIPC on matters related to research, development and implementation of prevention programs/services, and surveillance. This meeting will be discussing the following topics:

• BSC Opioid Workgroup update, 
• NCIPC health equity activities, 
• Suicide prevention research priorities, 
• Firearm research awards and surveillance activities, and 
• NCIPC COVID-19 activities. 

Click here to register.

Indiana Opioid Echo - Virtual ECHO Clinic for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Stimulant Use Disorder

Noon – 1 p.m., Wednesdays (Series), January – March 2021

This free TeleECHO clinic aims to teach participants on how to identify and manage patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder (SUD). The goal is to have a team of experts present on information related to medication-assisted treatment and continuity of care increase clinical competence in treating OUD and SUD. It is designed as a drop-in model, so attendance every week is not necessary. Additionally, this is an opportunity to gather CME credits, each session counts for one credit.

Upcoming sessions:

Feb. 10 - Addressing Psychiatric Concerns in Primary Care Offices

Feb. 17 - General Overview of Stimulant Use Disorder and Affects on the Brain

Click here to register and get a complete list of all upcoming sessions.