Group Urges Obama Administration's FDA to Act on Prescription Drug Epidemic
Submitted by: RealWebMarketing.net
2008-12-27 00:50:07
Advocates for Opioid Prescription Reform Make Submission to Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Likely Appointee to Head the FDA
(OPENPRESS) December 27, 2008 -- Novus Medical Detox Facility of Pasco County, Florida (http://www.novusdetox.com) Director Steven L. Hayes, a member of Advocates for Opioid Prescription Reform, has high hopes that a new, reform-minded administration in Washington will respond to the health crisis posed by prescription drug abuse and addiction. "Our group is composed of determined individuals from all walks of life who have become aware of the problem." Hayes said. "We are convinced that when people understand this problem it will not be allowed to continue."
A letter to Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, currently the Baltimore Health Commissioner but widely believed to be appointed to head the FDA in January, included a letter written by one of the members of the group, Dr. Kirk Van Rooyan. Dr. Van Rooyan is a plastic surgeon and consultant to the Medical Board of California who lost his stepson to a single dose of OxyContin. He is committed to sparing other parents and families a loss like this through prescription addiction and abuse.
The letter delineates the parallel rise in marketing of prescription opioids, prescription rates and deaths from overdose. Dr. Van Rooyan notes that the existing approach to the problem of chronic pain has not only been ineffective but has inflicted serious societal harm and personal suffering upon our nation, that ongoing attempts to redirect this effort have essentially been ignored or rebuffed by the FDA, and that significant change is urgently needed.
Dr. Van Rooyan concluded his leter saying "As a group sharing the bond of the loss--to addiction or death from opioids--of a family member or loved one, it is our sincere hope that the Obama Administration, particularly those agencies most involved in drug and public health issues and safety, will respond to the challenge posed by the prescription opioid crisis, bringing to bear its already demonstrated passion, innovation, and competence."
Medical Detox is often a necessary step in dealing with addiction, abuse or dependence. While many medical detox programs take place in a hospital, Novus Medical Detox Center specializes in handling drug dependencies in a private setting that is stress-free, comfortable and safe. The facility, set on 3.2 wooded acres 45 minutes north of Tampa, FL, offers private rooms, TV, DVDs and high speed internet access. Detoxification programs at Novus provide detox services for people wishing to withdraw from drugs including opiate detox, heroin detox, psychotropic detox, alcohol detox, benzodiazepine detox and prescription drug detox. They can be reached at 877-250-8267.
