PursueCare’s Post

For those following, here's the latest on Pear Therapeutics post bankruptcy. Its addiction apps have been acquired by virtual care company PursueCare. Will be very interesting to watch how connection to a care provider might help accelerate conversations with insurers and other payers who were hesitant to reimburse Pear's apps. Read more from my interview with PursueCare CEO @nickmercadante

British Columbia is in crisis when it comes to addiction, homelessness, and crime. We now have the dubious distinction of the highest rate of deadly drug overdose in the developed world, with BC’s rate now 50% higher than the US as a whole. Some have called for doubling down on the status quo - decriminalization, “safe supply” and other lax policies. But evidence and experience shows we need a new approach: one that takes into account both the user and the wider community; businesses and families; science, commonsense, and humanity. PROSPER (Policy Roundtable On Substance Prevention, Education, and Recovery) is launching publicly on 30th May 0900-1300 at the Wall Centre in Vancouver to offer a new policy approach based on prevention and recovery. This symposium will feature representatives from First Nations, first responders, physicians, people in recovery, law enforcement, decision-makers, citizen-activists, researchers, and policy specialists to put forward a new agenda for BC and beyond - one based on hope, not despair; on recovery, not helplessness. PROSPER’s motto is “A Culture of Prevention, A Climate of Recovery.” The mission is clear: To provide evidence-based policy advice and guidance that centers around drug prevention and recovery. We believe recovery is real, and should be the goal of any drug policy intervention. More news will follow in the months ahead, with PROSPER dedicated to serving as the reliable, non-partisan authority on drug-related policy matters in British Columbia and beyond. I hope you some of you can join us on May 30th in Vancouver! Kevin Sabet Julian Somers Rob Tanguay, MD FRCPC Kym Kaufmann Anna Lembke Keith Humphreys Marshall Smith CCAC Sean Speer Aaron Wudrick Sam Sullivan Brian Crowley Arezo Zarrabian Kevin Falcon Ed Day Connor MacDonald Adam Palmer, C.O.M. Jessica Prince Evan Romanow David Best Ray Baker Beth Collinson, PhD Andy Cook https://lnkd.in/gfEytrXY

These tools retain value in my opinion.

Hmmmm…seems a bit shady to me. 🔍 Understanding the Impact of Private Interest Groups on Methadone Clinics and Public Health Policy In recent years, there has been a concerning trend emerging across the country: private interest groups purchasing stakes in Methadone clinics. This development raises significant questions about the well-being of clients, the integrity of community health, and the influence on public health policy, particularly regarding Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). Firstly, let's examine the implications for clients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Methadone clinics play a crucial role in providing Medication-Supported Recovery(MSR), offering a lifeline to individuals grappling with addiction. However, when these clinics fall under the control of profit-driven entities, there is a risk that patient care may take a backseat to financial interests. Clients could face reduced access to comprehensive services, including counseling and medical support, as cost-cutting measures may prioritize profitability over patient well-being. Furthermore, the influence of private interest groups extends beyond individual treatment facilities to the broader community. Methadone clinics serve as vital community resources, not only offering treatment but also contributing to harm reduction efforts and reducing the burden on emergency services. However, when these clinics are subject to the agendas of profit-driven stakeholders, there is a danger that community needs may be overlooked in favor of maximizing financial returns. This could result in reduced outreach programs, limited availability of resources for prevention and education, and a negative impact on overall community health. Perhaps most concerning is the potential influence of private interest groups on public health policy, particularly regarding MOUD. As stakeholders with financial stakes in Methadone clinics exert their influence, there is a risk that public policy decisions may be swayed to align with their profit motives rather than evidence-based best practices. This could lead to policies that prioritize profit over patient outcomes, undermine harm reduction strategies, and hinder efforts to address the opioid crisis effectively. By prioritizing transparency, community engagement, evidence-based decision-making, and public support, we can work towards ensuring that Methadone clinics remain steadfast in their mission to provide effective treatment and support for individuals battling opioid addiction, while safeguarding the broader health and well-being of communities nationwide. #PublicHealth #OpioidCrisis #CommunityEngagement #PolicyImpact #HealthcareGovernance Creative Restorations INC #bootsonthegroundsaveslives

The fentanyl epidemic has ravaged communities across the nation, taking over 120,000 lives, with 82% of opioid-related deaths attributed to fentanyl. This represents a staggering 637% increase since 1999. In the face of this devastating crisis, ReNAD Biologics is at the forefront, offering hope and a revolutionary approach to addiction treatment. Our custom NAD+ 8-12 day IV therapy has shown remarkable progress, providing a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape. NAD+ replenishment targets the core neurochemistry of addiction, offering a personalized treatment that goes beyond traditional methods. This innovative approach not only addresses the symptoms but also targets the root causes of addiction, facilitating more effective and long-lasting recovery. At ReNAD, we believe that such significant progress deserves the spotlight. The success stories of our patients underscore the potential of our treatment to change lives and reverse the tragic trajectory of the fentanyl epidemic. It's time to shine a light on these breakthroughs and give hope to those still struggling. https://lnkd.in/gjDkMiXr

Lessons to Accelerate MOUD Prescribing Among Behavioral Health Providers correctly points out that the location of MOUD facilities is correlated with race and socioeconomic factors. The article also points out that Methadone clinics are disproportionately located in African American and Hispanic/Latino communities while buprenorphine is more accessible in predominantly white communities. This reality is understood when we view it through a lens that identifies racism in our healthcare delivery system. Black people and other people of color are dramatically overrepresented in the most highly regulated and stigmatized treatment programs, Opioid Treatment programs labled as "Methadone programs". By contrast, white people are disproportionately represented in much less regulated and much less stigmatized treatment settings, a physician's office. If you are prescribed Methadone for your opioid addiction, you might have to drive, EVERY DAY, 4 or more hours round-trip to get a single daily does of the medication you were prescribed. In stark contrast, you can drive to a neighborhood doctor once monthly to get the amount of medication you need if you have been prescribed an addiction medication that is not Methadone. People of Color have less access and more rules and obstacles if they want treatment for an opioid addiction. Missing among the recommendations for making medications for opioid use disorder more available was recommendations to address the structural racism in our addiction treatment system that make access to medication much more difficult for Black, Indigenous, People of Color. If we want better access to treatment, equity in our healthcare system, better health outcomes in all communities, and elimination of health disparities, racism has to be part of the discussion and anti-racism principles must be an integral part of our solutions. National Council for Mental Wellbeing American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM NAACP InUnity Alliance Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) American Medical Association Legal Action Center

Kelowna Capital News and Brittany Webster’s article highlights the proactive steps taken by Kelowna-based Custom Health Inc., as they play a crucial role in the launch of the new Opioid Addiction Deterrence Task Force in Washington, D.C. This task force, spearheaded by the American Medical Technology Coalition (AMTC), is a testament to the power of collaboration across borders and industries in the fight against the opioid epidemic.   Shane Bishop, CEO of Custom Health and Executive Director of AMTC, emphasized the task force's commitment to integrating advanced technology, data analytics, and comprehensive community engagement to revolutionize pain management and reduce opioid misuse.   At Cytogel Pharma, LLC we are moved by such collaborative efforts and remain committed to our mission of developing safer, non-addictive pain management alternatives. Through our ongoing clinical development of CYT-1010, we are implementing a focused program around pain management, to culminate with the dual advantage of “opioid-like efficacy and non-opioid-like safety” namely minimized risk of addiction and the avoidance of respiratory depression. #SaferPainTreatment https://lnkd.in/gK7wVDRv

Increasing access to medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) will no doubt save lives but there is a few more steps that also needed to be taken. 50% of patients take their prescribed medications incorrectly which results in 125,000 annual unnecessary deaths and an additional $290 billion in annual healthcare expenditures because due to higher rates of hospital admissions, suboptimal health outcomes, and higher morbidity/mortality for chronic conditions.  https://lnkd.in/gnfw9xR2 When opioids are involved, opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose death can occur, which has made the opioid epidemic a huge problem. 1 in 3 Americans know someone who is an addict and has OUD. 2 million people are in treatment for opioid use disorder and 20 million more need treatment. Over 111,000 people died last year; costing our economy $1.5 trillion. We have medications to treat OUD and reduce overdose deaths but patients cannot get these medications because of significant barriers to care. iPill uses technology to overcome these barriers and bring care to patients cost-effectively and monitor medication adherence. iPill can -deliver medications directly to patient homes -securely store them to reduce misuse, diversion and accidental overdose -biometric authenticate the patient to ensure only the prescription holder has access at only the prescribed dose and time. remotely monitor medication adherence to detect/remediate missed daily doses -alert family, friends, and caregivers for accountability, and  -destroy unused pills at 30 days and immediately if tampered -bring care to patients by reducing barriers to treatment including stigma, transportation, geographical disparity, social inequality, and reduced social determinants of health. 

Solving our nation’s substance abuse crisis requires collaborative efforts. The Biden Administration has committed to funding $1.5B in grants to address and solve this problem. The recent press release dated May 2, 2024 stated this in part: “President Biden made it a top priority of his Unity Agenda to ensure states, Tribes and territories have the tools and evidence-based strategies needed to beat the overdose crisis,” said Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. “At HHS, we believe there should be no wrong door for people who are seeking support and care to manage their behavioral health challenges, including when it comes to getting treatment for substance use disorder.” To make this a success, they are seeking services that have evidence-based, holistic practices that address the overdose crisis, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment such as the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), naloxone and other opioid overdose reversal medications, and recovery supports. DEMA Health focuses on preventation through behavioral profiling, assessments and insights and cater our marketing and messaging to specific behavioral styles; however, we are only one piece of the pie. If you are an organization or individual who is an expert in the other areas being sought, perhaps you should join the initiative and be a bigger solution. Read the press release at https://lnkd.in/dHjCKXk2

Primary care is emerging as a vital treatment hub for opioid use disorder. Researchers highlight that increased prescribing of buprenorphine by physicians could play a pivotal role in stemming the overdose crisis nationwide. Empowering primary care opens new doors in the fight against opioid addiction. Let's spread awareness and support the efforts to make a positive impact on lives. Together, we can be a driving force for change! https://bit.ly/3RfKukv #OpioidCrisis #PrimaryCareMatters #HealthcareInnovation