GLG News by Addiction Medicine Psychiatrists (US)

Chantix has been demonstrated effective in smoking cessation.  A laboratory study using a rat model suggests it might also be affective in treatment of alcohol dependence.  Most alcoholics also smoke, so this is potentially a "natural" application.

Both clinicians and clinical scientists have awaited the arrival of rimonabant to these shores.  Its delay is disappointing as the number of patients clinicians face with obesity and type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing.  Clinical scientists are eager to investigate the role of the human...

This is just a variation on a theme, namely genetically engineering a plant species to overproduce a molecule that has recognized therapeutic effects.  This is distinct from the notion of identifying novel natural molecules in a plant that has therapeutic potential.

The ADHD market is expanding and Shire has tried to capture this market.  The α-2 noradrenergic agonists have experimental rationale for the the treatment of ADHD, but it is unclear when and in which patients they should be used as opposed to others.  The utility of an extended release...

Review of INTUNIV Extended Release for treatment of ADHD: This is still another ADHD Shire drug that is efficacious and has an excellent tolerability profile. I have utilized this agent (as a principal investigator) in several clinical trials and can't wait until I am able to prescribe this agent in...

There is a long tradition of so-called pharmaco-EEG to predict who responds and who does not with a medication.  Moreover, there is an emerging literature whereby you perturb the electromagnetic state of an anatomically determined region to elicit a therapeutic response.

Disease management programs are intended to provide specific guidelines for the care of an illness based on best evidence available at the time the guidelines were developed.  This is the current approach to maintain quality and reducing costs while ensuring that quality does not suffer. ...

This is a striking news story from China which probably will influence the pharmaceutical industry world-wide.  Although our system does not allow such a torrid response to corporate crime, many are starting to view the FDA as responsible for guiding the country's health through appropriately controlling...

Newer formulations such as the one described have their advantages, but typically cost considerations make them not to be on formularies and they are not used for chronic maintenance usually, unless cost is not an issue.

Everyone recognizes that there is a problem in healthcare costs and that one major driver is the cost of malpractice insurance for physicians.  How to protect patients from unethical, negligent, and poor clinical expertise and judgment is also a major issue.