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National Geographic Recognizes OTC Oral Contraceptive Opill as a Key Medical Breakthrough in 2024

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/top-medical-breakthroughs-2024 “A birth control pill without a prescription” “This year the first-ever birth control pill became available in the United States without a prescription. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved the daily oral medication, Opill, last year and it is now available to anyone regardless of age, insurance coverage, or whether they’ve… Read More

Prescription Medicines

Adherence Among a Cohort Taking Progestin-Only Pills Prescribed by a Healthcare Provider: Results of the BENCHMARK Study

Bradford RD, Farnsworth SJ, Laurora I, Sober S, Guillard H, Glasier A, Shiffman S. Contraception 112 (2022) 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2022.04.006 Objectives: To measure adherence over six months of progestin-only pill (POP) use. Study Design: Prospective observational cohort study measuring adherence to daily dosing and timing of dose in patients prescribed a POP, with up to six… Read More

Kratom Safety and Toxicology in the Public Health Context: Research Needs to Better Inform Regulation

Henningfield et al., The growing body of research into kratom benefits, risks, pharmacology, and epidemiology provides a foundation for further research and a basis for federal oversight. FDA regulation of kratom products would support access to products that meet basic standards of purity, product constituent, as well as consistent labeling and warnings. This comprehensive review… Read More

Prescription Medicines

Comment on NDA for Lykos’ MDMA from Dr. Marion Coe

Marion Coe, Director, Clinical Development and Postmarketing Surveillance at Pinney Associates I support approval of midomafetamine (MDMA) capsules for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This medication assisted therapy holds significant potential for public health benefit by providing an effective treatment for PTSD, a condition affecting millions of people. It is likely to contribute… Read More

Prescription Medicines

Comment on NDA for Lykos’ MDMA from Dr. Jack Henningfield

Jack Henningfield, Vice President, Research Health Policy and Abuse Liability, Pinney Associates. I support the approval of MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Phase 2 and 3 studies have demonstrated efficacy and, equally importantly, the studies have shown that it can be used safely under various conditions and approaches to therapeutic use… Read More

Data

Assessment of abuse liability and switching potential of menthol-flavored pod-based electronic nicotine delivery systems among US adults who smoke cigarettes

Menthol-flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are a focus of public health and regulatory policy considerations. The abuse liability of five menthol-flavored pod-based ENDS was compared to combustible cigarettes, and switching potential of ENDS was also evaluated. Goldenson SI. Shiffman S. Sembower MA. Black RA. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2024 May 1:258:111279. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111279. Epub 2024… Read More

Data

Methods Used by US Adults to Stop Smoking Cigarettes, 2020–2022

Foxon F. Niaura R. CDC’s nationally-representative US health survey data (NHIS) asked US adults who stopped smoking completely from 2020–2022 which methods they used to stop. 7.5 million US adults stopped smoking completely from 2020–2022. 54.6% (4.1 million adults) used one or more nicotine products to stop smoking completely from 2020–2022. 42.5% (3.2 million) used… Read More

Data

Rising Uptake of Alternative Nicotine Products (ANPs) by Smoking-Naïve Individuals Is Not Necessarily a Threat to Public Health: The Case of Diversion by Snus in Norway

Selya A and Lund KE. Background: Adults who smoke tobacco can benefit by switching to less-harmful alternative nicotine products (ANPs). However, ANP uptake by smoking-naïve people is a concern. Several publications have reported increasing rates of ANP use by smoking-naïve individuals. However, these concerns seems at odds with historic declines in tobacco smoking in many… Read More