TcMedicine

Treatment Costs Nearly Double For Hay Fever And Other Allergies

Americans spent $11 billion on doctors’ bills, prescription drugs, and other medical care to relieve allergy symptoms such as itchy or watery eyes, stuffy noses, wheezing, coughing, and headaches in 2007, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The cost is nearly double the $6 billion spent in 2000.

AHRQ’s analysis looked at spending on allergies, such as hay fever and other allergies caused plant pollens, dust, or dander such as animal hair.

AHRQ’s data indicated that:

– In 2007, about 22 million Americans reported visiting a doctor, obtaining a prescription drug, being hospitalized, getting home care or experiencing allergy symptoms.

– Visits to doctors’ office and hospital outpatient departments for allergies care accounted for $4 billion. The remaining roughly $7 billion was spent mostly on prescription drugs.

– Between 2000 and 2007, average annual spending on treatment of allergies jumped from $350 per person to $520 per person.

AHRQ, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works to enhance the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care in the United States. The data in this AHRQ News and Numbers summary are taken from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a detailed source of information on the health services used by Americans, the frequency with which they are used, the cost of those services, and how they are paid.

For more information, go to Allergic Rhinitis: Trends in Use and Expenditures, 2000 and 2007 (PDF).

http://www.ahrq.gov

New Data Demonstrate Efficacy Of Aerius(R) (Desloratadine) In Reducing Allergy Symptoms In Patients With Intermittent Allergic Rhinitis

New data presented at the XXVII Congress of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in Barcelona, Spain, demonstrate AERIUS® (desloratadine) significantly reduces allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal pruritus and ocular pruritus, in patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis (IAR) who experience symptoms lasting less than four days per week or less than four weeks per year. The results are part of the AERIUS Control: Clinical and Evaluative Profile of Treatment (ACCEPT) trials, which were conducted in collaboration with the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) and evaluated the safety and efficacy of AERIUS for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR), as defined by the updated Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines.

According to the study in patients with IAR, those receiving AERIUS 5 mg for a 15-day treatment period experienced significant reduction in total symptom severity score from baseline versus placebo (-3.01 vs. -2.13; P
“These data show that AERIUS is an effective and well-tolerated first-line treatment for intermittent allergic rhinitis,” said Jean Bousquet, Department of Pneumonology, University Hospital, Montpellier, France. “The ARIA guidelines distinguish the symptomatic classification of IAR, which is a new way of thinking about and diagnosing allergy symptoms, and now the ACCEPT studies have confirmed which options are effective in treating this new classification of allergic rhinitis.”

The study also evaluated the effects of AERIUS in reducing nasal congestion and other individual symptom scores in patients with IAR. Compared to patients taking placebo, patients with IAR taking AERIUS experienced a significantly greater improvement from baseline in average nasal congestion scores (-0.43 vs. -0.56, respectively; p=0.013). In addition, patients taking AERIUS experienced significantly lower nasal congestion at the end of the first 24-hour dosing period (P≤0.001), versus patients taking placebo. The data also show AERIUS significantly reduced additional IAR symptoms including rhinorrhea, sneezing, eye itching and nasal itching at the end of the 24-hour dosing period on the second day (P≤0.035) and over the rest of the 15-day treatment period (P≤0.036).

An additional analysis from the ACCEPT trial assessed the ability of patients with IAR to work, go to school or accomplish general daily activities while taking AERIUS, as defined by the Work Productivity Activity Impairment-Allergy Specific (WPAI-AS) questionnaire. Compared to patients with IAR taking placebo, the study found patients with IAR taking AERIUS experienced a significant reduction in percent overall work-related impairment, compared to patients taking placebo (-24.7 percent vs. 1.6 percent, respectively; P=0.002).

Traditionally, AR has been classified as seasonal or perennial based on the time of exposure and the nature of the allergen (outdoor or indoor). The updated ARIA guidelines classify allergic rhinitis as intermittent (IAR) or persistent (PER) based on the duration of the condition. According to the ARIA’s classifications, patients with IAR experience symptoms lasting less than four days per week or less than four weeks per year. The ACCEPT trials are the first to evaluate an antihistamine based on the ARIA guidelines’ updated classification of AR.

“The ACCEPT study also marked the first time that the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, in cooperation with Schering-Plough, has utilized the pan-EU allergen panel for testing, said Torsten Zuberbier, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. “With this study, we are making critical steps to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis throughout Europe for the benefit of patients and clinical research.”

About ACCEPT

The ACCEPT (AERIUS Control: Clinical and Evaluative Profile of Treatment) clinical trials consisted of two multi-national, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of AERIUS 5 mg in patients 12 years of age or older with ARIA-defined AR. The trials evaluated the efficacy, impact on quality of life, productivity and pharmacoeconomics in patients with IAR in one study and also evaluated PER in an additional study. Studies were conducted in collaboration with the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN), a clinical research network of leading European research centers, through an unrestricted grant from Schering-Plough. Participating countries in the ACCEPT trials included Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary, Greece, Finland, Portugal, Turkey and Russia.

The IAR ACCEPT trial assessed the effect of AERIUS 5 mg versus placebo administered once daily for 15 days. A total of 547 patients were randomized with 276 patients receiving AERIUS and 271 receiving placebo. All patients were required to have ARIA-defined IAR for at least two years that was symptomatic at baseline, and patients also had to demonstrate a positive skin-prick test to at least one relevant allergen, preferably using the GA2LEN allergen panel.

The primary endpoint of the ACCEPT trials was the mean change from baseline in the daily average of morning and evening (prior 12-hours) five symptom scores (T5SS); in the IAR study this was averaged over days 1 to 15. Secondary endpoints included safety, the impact of AERIUS treatment on important disease measures, including the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, individual symptom scores, the symptom severity visual analog scale (VAS) and effects on rhinitis-impaired sleep, daily activities and productivity.

About Allergic Rhinitis

As many as 94 million people across Europe are affected by allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) each year.1 Symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes.2 Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can have an impact on everyday activities at work, school and leisure time. There also is a growing body of evidence that points to an association between allergies and more serious conditions, such as asthma.

Survey data show that symptoms are most severe in the morning, and about two-thirds of respondents reported that morning suffering affects the rest of the day.3 Mornings can be an especially difficult time for all allergy sufferers in terms of allergic triggers because pollen concentrations are usually highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. In addition, if a pet is sleeping in the bed, exposure to their dander during the night may account for the increased prevalence and severity of morning allergy symptoms. People with allergies also should shower before going to bed to rinse off any pollen or pet dander that may have collected in their hair or on their body during the day.

The survey also showed that even though allergies are frequently a self-diagnosed condition, patients rely on medical experts to help properly manage their symptoms.3

About AERIUS

AERIUS (desloratadine) is a nonsedating antihistamine for the treatment of symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (including intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis) and urticaria, or hives. AERIUS Tablets is approved to treat these symptoms in patients 12 years of age and older. AERIUS Orodispersible Tablets 2.5 mg and 5 mg are approved to treat these symptoms in patients 6 years of age and older.4 AERIUS Syrup and AERIUS Oral Solution are both approved to treat these symptoms in patients 1 year of age and older.4 AERINAZE (desloratadine 2.5 mg/ pseudoephedrine 120 mg) Modified-Release Tablets is approved to treat these symptoms when accompanied by nasal congestion, in patients 12 years of age and older.5

The most common side effects in adults and adolescents with allergic rhinitis and CIU were fatigue, dry mouth and headache.4 In clinical trials in a pediatric population (children aged 6 months through 11 years), the overall incidence of adverse events in children 2 through 11 years of age was similar for the AERIUS syrup and placebo groups.4 In infants and toddlers aged 6 to 23 months, the most frequent adverse events reported in excess of placebo were diarrhea, fever and insomnia.4

Research shows AERIUS provides powerful morning symptom relief for seasonal allergic rhinitis patients. In a study of 346 people with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinitis, patients receiving AERIUS experienced significant improvement in morning total symptom scores (which includes both nasal and non-nasal symptoms) versus placebo.6 AERIUS offers demonstrated efficacy at the end of the dosing interval.4

Schering-Plough markets desloratadine under the brand names AERIUS, AZOMYR and NEOCLARITYN in Europe, where it is available either as a prescription or non-prescription pharmacy-only medicine, and as prescription CLARINEX® in the United States. AERIUS [AZOMYR] [NEOCLARITYN] builds upon Schering-Plough’s heritage as a leader in discovery and development.

About Schering-Plough Corporation

Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal health products. Schering-Plough’s vision is to “Earn Trust, Every Day” with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is http://www.schering-plough.com.

Schering-Plough Disclosure Notice

The information in this press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to potential market for AERIUS. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Schering-Plough’s forward-looking statements, including market forces, economic factors, product availability, patent and other intellectual property protection, current and future branded, generic or over-the-counter competition, the regulatory process, and any developments following regulatory approval, among other uncertainties. For further details about these and other factors that may impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including Part I, Item IA. “Risk Factors” in Schering-Plough’s 2008 10-Q.

References:

1. http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/pollen_allergy/stats-country.htm.Statistics for Northern, Western, Central, Eastern, Southwestern, Southern and Southeastern Europe combined.

2. Management of Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma: Pocket Guide. 2001.

3. “Understanding the Dynamics Surrounding Allergy Suffering and Treatment” Forbes Consulting Group. 2007.

4. AERIUS (summary of product characteristics) Schering Corporation.

5. AERINAZE (summary of product characteristics). Schering Corporation.

6. Meltzer EO, Prenner MB, Nayak A, and the Desloratadine Study Group. Efficacy and tolerability of once-daily 5mg desloratadine, and H1-receptor antagonist, in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: assessment during the spring and fall allergy seasons. Clin Drug Invest. 2001; 21:25-32.

Schering-Plough Corporation

View drug information on Clarinex.

California Alcohol Problems Drain $38 Billion Annually

Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, held a news conference and town hall meeting in Los Angeles today to release the disturbing findings of its landmark report, The Annual Catastrophe of Alcohol in California. Such a comprehensive study has never been done in California.

Before a large gathering of public health experts, policymakers, and community activists, digital clocks ticked away in real time the incredible economic costs ($1,200 per second or $38.4 billion annually), incidents of harm (100 per hour or 921,928 annually) and deaths (1 per hour or 9,439 annually).

Marin’s study calculates that moderate-to-high alcohol consumption in California is costing roughly $1,000 per resident. By comparison, tobacco costs California approximately $550 per resident. The study also estimates $25.3 billion in lost productivity and reduced earnings.

“What makes these study results both so complex and so tragic is how alcohol-related harm takes so many forms and affects so many lives,” said Michele Simon, Marin Institute research and policy director. Simon co-authored the report with Ted Miller of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation and Simon Rosen, Marin Institute research analyst.

Marin Institute compared the economic losses to those from natural disasters and concluded that alcohol costs far outpace earthquakes and fires. Unlike earthquakes, fires, floods and mudslides, which come along infrequently, the catastrophe of alcohol in California happens annually, with devastating effects, and can be prevented.” Rosen noted.

The study also estimates an additional $48.8 billion in quality of life costs, due to the pain and suffering of victims and families. “These harms are not just economic, they are also deeply personal. Quantifying the pain and suffering endured by numerous people from alcohol harm may be the most compelling result of this study,” Rosen added.

Librarian and community activist, Manya Anderson, a life-long resident of South Los Angeles, continues to witness firsthand the devastation of alcohol in her own family as well as in the communities of South L.A. “As residents, it is clear to us that both African American and Latino families have borne the brunt of the alcohol industry’s sale of liquor in our communities. More liquor in our community means poor health and a lack of safety.”

California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) observed that “Whether it’s consumed as a vintage wine from a prestigious appellation or a fortified variant, a micro-brew or malt liquor, an alcopop or high-end distilled spirit, alcohol’s cost is much more than the price paid for a drink at the corner liquor store or neighborhood bar.” He added, “As a legislator, I am looking forward to engaging my colleagues along with representatives of the industry in a discussion of the report’s findings and recommendations.”

Marin Institute is calling for a number of steps to reverse the catastrophe, including higher alcohol taxes to reduce excessive consumption and the related harm and costs. While the harmful cost of alcohol is equal to $2.80 per drink, current alcohol taxes come to only 8 cents per drink. “The alcohol lobby has been very effective in minimizing their taxes and fees to just 1.7 percent of their income from sales,” noted Bruce Livingston, Marin Institute’s executive director. “It’s time we hold Big Alcohol accountable by getting them to pay their fair share.”

Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., MPH, Public Health Officer and Director of the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department said, “Marin Institute’s report is a much needed reminder of the harm and costs associated with alcohol consumption in California.”

The study will be published next month by the peer-reviewed journal, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. To download study findings visit http://www.marininstitute.org.

Marin Institute
http://www.marininstitute.org

Tougher Laws For Drinks Industry Could Be Imminent, UK

Mandatory regulation and labelling could be on the cards for the alcohol industry following a major consultation about England’s drinking culture, launched today by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo.

The Department of Health consultation is published together with independent reviews showing that the drinks industry is not adhering to its own voluntary standards, and new evidence suggesting that alcohol is a far wider cause of damage to people’s health than previously suspected. New calculations released put the cost of alcohol misuse to society at ￡17.7 billion to ￡25.1 billion per year, with a cost to the NHS of ￡2.7 billion.

The consultation proposals would mean that the current voluntary retailing code could become mandatory. This would mean retailers could have to:

• restrict the way alcohol is sold such as offering drinks in small as well as large glasses or measures - too often only one size is offered or a large is automatically given;

• restrict happy hours or irresponsible price based promotions - women ‘drink for free’ promotions are still all too common;
• display alcohol in off-licence premises in separate areas - no more displays by the checkout;
• give point of sale information eg. on units, allowing customers to make an informed choice; and
• train staff in shops and venues to recognise and refuse alcohol to underage or drunk customers.

Manufacturers will be given until the end of the year to put the required warnings and advice on bottles and cans. If not, Government will move to put a mandatory scheme in place. This would require health and unit information on all drinks containers.

New national hospital admissions data have also been published. They provide a more accurate picture of alcohol-related hospital admissions using new methodology.

Previously, admissions statistics only counted the three most common types of alcohol-related diseases: alcoholic liver disease, alcohol poisoning, and mental and behavioural disorders. The new methodology measures a total of 44 conditions which research shows are caused by or strongly associated with alcohol consumption. The new figures show there were 811,000 admissions in 2007 (accounting for 6 per cent of all admissions) compared with 473,500 in 2002.

Three independent reviews have been published, which show a lack of adherence to voluntary agreements.

• The KPMG review of alcohol industry standards found that voluntary agreements are not being followed. It also found evidence of poor practice in the way alcohol is promoted.

• Independent monitoring of voluntary labelling agreements show disappointing interim results. Inclusion of unit information was agreed with industry in 1998. Despite this, 43 per cent of products surveyed did not contain unit information at all, and only 3 per cent followed the labelling scheme in its entirety.
• Interim findings from the first stage of the price and promotion review, being carried out by the University of Sheffield, finds clear UK and international evidence linking the sale of cheap alcohol to increased consumption, particularly amongst young people and those already drinking at higher risk levels. This leads to stronger evidence that irresponsible retail practice fuels excess drinking and hence harm to health. The second phase of the review is due to report later this year. When this is complete, the impact of a range of different options for regulating or restricting how alcohol is priced and promoted will be examined

Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo, said:

“The evidence from this series of reviews, and the hospital admissions data, clearly make this the right time to consult on a far tougher approach to the alcohol industry.

“The drinks industry has a vital role to play if we are to change the country’s attitudes to alcohol. Some sections of the industry are sticking to the voluntary codes, others are blatantly ignoring them. This consultation will decide whether legally binding regulations for retailers and manufacturers to promote sensible drinking are the way forward.

“Around a quarter of the population drink to a harmful level. These people could be drinking themselves into an early grave - we need the drinks industry to give them the help and information needed to drink at a safer level.”

Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said:

“For social responsibility standards in the alcohol industry to work well they should complement the law on alcohol sales, encourage people to drink more safely and be followed consistently across the country. The KPMG report tells us quite plainly that this is not happening. At best the standards are being applied in fragmented way, at worst in many places alcohol is being sold and marketed irresponsibly.

“We now need a new set of standards and over the next few months we will work intensively with industry representatives and other interested groups to breathe new life into the system. We have also made it quite clear that if necessary we will introduce legislation to make the new standards mandatory.”

Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern said:

“We very much welcome the findings from the various reports which clearly show a big increase in alcohol-related health harms. The ideas put forward for consultation make eminent sense if the Government is going to achieve a reduction in alcohol-related harms and if it is going to meet its own targets to reduce harmful drinking.”

Notes:

1. The consultation can be downloaded here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations

2. New hospital admissions data is published by the Northwest Public Health Observatory on behalf of the Department of Health. They will be published on a quarterly basis from autumn this year. The documents can be downloaded here: http://www.nwph.net/alcohol

3. The KPMG report can be downloaded from the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.hov.uk

4. The pricing & promotion and labelling reports can be downloaded here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Alcoholmisuse

5. Estimated annual cost of alcohol misuse: The ￡17.7bn-￡25.1bn figure covers three cost categories: the cost to the NHS, lost productivity, and crime. The sources of the estimates for each of these cost categories are as follows:

• Healthcare costs: taken from Department of Health (2008), The cost of alcohol harm to the NHS in England.

• Crime costs: taken from Home Office (2008), Interim Impact Assessment of Responsible Alcohol Sales.
• Productivity costs: taken from Cabinet Office Strategy Unit (2003), Alcohol misuse: how much does it cost?. These figures have been converted into 2007/7 prices using the GDP deflator available here.

6. The crime and productivity estimates cover England and Wales and the healthcare costs only cover England. The Home Office Impact Assessment is published with the consultation document. The healthcare costs paper can be downloaded here.

Source:
http://www.dh.gov.uk

Overindulgence Of Alcohol Encouraged By Loud Music

Commercial venues are very aware of the effects that the environment - in this case, music - can have on in-store traffic flow, sales volumes, product choices, and consumer time spent in the immediate vicinity. A study of the effects of music levels on drinking in a bar setting has found that loud music leads to more drinking in less time.

Results will be published in the October issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.

“Previous research had shown that fast music can cause fast drinking, and that music versus no music can cause a person to spend more time in a bar,” said Nicolas Guéguen, a professor of behavioral sciences at the Université de Bretagne-Sud in France, and corresponding author for the study. “This is the first time that an experimental approach in a real context found the effects of loud music on alcohol consumption.”

Researchers discretely visited two bars for three Saturday evenings in a medium-size city located in the west of France. The study subjects, 40 males 18 to 25 years of age, were unaware that they were being observed; only those who ordered a glass of draft beer (25 cl. or 8 oz.) were included. With permission from the bar owners, observers would randomly manipulate the sound levels (either 72 dB, considered normal, or 88 dB, considered high) of the music in the bar (Top 40 songs) before choosing a participant. After the observed participant left the bar, sound levels were again randomly selected and a new participant was chosen.

Results showed that high sound levels led to increased drinking, within a decreased amount of time.

Guéguen and his colleagues offered two hypotheses for why this may have occurred. “One, in agreement with previous research on music, food and drink, high sound levels may have caused higher arousal, which led the subjects to drink faster and to order more drinks,”” said Guéguen. “Two, loud music may have had a negative effect on social interaction in the bar, so that patrons drank more because they talked less.”

In France, observed Guéguen, more than 70,000 persons per year die because of chronic alcohol consumption, and alcohol is associated with the majority of fatal car accidents. “We have shown that environmental music played in a bar is associated with an increase in drinking,” he said. “We need to encourage bar owners to play music at more of a moderate level … and make consumers aware that loud music can influence their alcohol consumption.”

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Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER) is the official journal of the Research Society on Alcoholism and the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism. Co-authors of the ACER paper, “Sound Level of Environmental Music and Drinking Behavior: A Field Experiment with Beer Drinkers,” were: C. Jacob, H. Le Guellec, and T. Morineau of the Université de Bretagne-Sud; and M. Lourel of the Université de Rouen. The study was funded by the Centre de Recherches en Psychologie, Cognition & Communication through the Université de Bretagne-Sud.

Source: Nicolas Guéguen, Ph.D.
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research

Minister Wallace Launches New Stronger Codes Of Practice To Control Alcohol Marketing, Communications And Sponsorship, Ireland

Ms Mary Wallace T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for Health Promotion and Food Safety launched new strengthened Codes of Practice to control Alcohol Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship.

Speaking at the Launch the Minister said that the Government was extremely concerned about theimpact of alcohol advertising on young people in particular. The revised Codes are a move to control the content and volume of alcohol advertising across all media in Ireland.

A significant element of the new Codes will be the placing of an upper limit of 25% on the volume of all alcohol advertising. This means that for the first time alcohol advertising will be limited to no more than 25% of available space or time in all Irish media i.e. TV, Radio, Cinema, Outdoor Advertising and the Print Media. New controls will also deal with alcohol advertising or sponsorship during the broadcasting of sports programmes.

In tandem, the Minister also stated that the Department will commence a process to identify areas in relation to alcohol advertising, promotions and sponsorships where legislative measures might be necessary to afford greater protection to young people. This process would encompass areas outside of the scope of the existing codes on advertising, for example, sportswear bearing alcohol companies’ logos.

“Adherence to and implementation of the revised codes on Alcohol Marketing and Sponsorship will be one of the important factors for Government to consider in deciding what further measures might be necessary”the Minister said.

The revised codes will have immediate effect for new contracts on 1st July, 2008 and for all existing contracts by 1st October, 2008.

The publication Alcohol Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship Codes of Practice can be found here.

Department of Health and Children, Ireland

America

The latest research released by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a positive indicator that The Century Council’s continuing efforts are working. For nearly twenty years, The Century Council, a national not-for-profit funded by distillers, has developed and implemented proven and effective programs and public awareness campaigns to fight underage drinking.

According to the newly released report Underage Alcohol Use: Findings from the 2002-2007 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, lifetime alcohol consumption rates among 12 to 20 years olds have shown a statistically significant decrease of 4% from 56.2% in 2002 to 53.9% in 2007. Additionally, past year consumption rates declined significantly among 12-14 year olds and 15-17 year olds (8% and 7%, respectively) from 2002 to 2007; past year alcohol consumption among 18 to 20 year olds remained relatively unchanged during this time period.

“The SAMHSA research is a clear sign that our collective efforts are working. The significant decrease in lifetime alcohol consumption indicates that America’s youth are delaying the consumption of their first alcoholic beverage. While encouraged by the progress, there is still work to be done to keep our nation’s young people safe. We will continue our efforts to make sure the consumption rates continue to decline,” said The Honorable Susan Molinari, Chairman of The Century Council.

The Century Council commissioned a research study in 2003 which identified family and friends as the leading source of alcohol for underage drinkers - 65% of youth who consumed alcohol in the past year reported family and friends were the leading source from which they got the alcohol they consumed. The new data from SAMHSA suggests only about 28% of underage drinkers cite family and friends as their source of the last alcohol they consumed - a significant decrease in the role of family and friends over the past few years. While the SAMHSA study highlights much progress has been made our work remains unfinished.

The Century Council continues to be actively engaged in stopping youth access to alcohol through a variety of initiatives including our “65% Campaign” called Are You Doing Your Part?, and We Don’t Serve Teens. These initiatives have distributed millions of materials to retailers and parents, and have reached countless more through public service announcements and earned media. Other ongoing education initiatives include Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix, a program in partnership with Nickelodeon, and Girl Talk; Choices and Consequences of Underage Drinking, an initiative most recently launched at two-time Olympian Julie Foudy’s Sports Leadership Academy, and Parents, You’re Not Done Yet, a program that encourages parents of incoming college freshman to continue to discuss underage drinking after they leave for school.

About The Century Council

The Century Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking and is funded by distillers including Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Brown-Forman; Constellation Brands, Inc.; DIAGEO; Future Brands LLC; Hood River Distillers, Inc.; and Sidney Frank Importing Co. Inc. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia and chaired by Susan Molinari, The Century Council is a leader in the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and promotes responsible decision making regarding beverage alcohol. The Century Council develops and implements innovative programs and public awareness campaigns and promotes action through strategic partnerships. Established in 1991, The Century Council’s initiatives are highlighted on its website at http://www.centurycouncil.org.

The Century Council

InterventionTreatment.com Launches Suboxone Treatment Program

Intervention Treatment announced that it has launched a suboxone treatment program. The program will be used to increase Intervention Treatment’s Global mission of providing Intervention and Treatment resources to those affected by alcohol and drug addiction. According to Dr. Jason Schiffman, Chief Medical Officer for Intervention Treatment, “There is a large, poorly met demand for outpatient, office-based treatment of opiate dependence and the addition of the suboxone treatment program to Intervention Treatment’s array of alcohol and drug addiction related services will be a great tool for patients and their families.”

Intervention Treatment is currently one of the fastest growing online resources for those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The new Suboxone Treatment program is designed to help those affected by opiate addiction.

About Suboxone

Suboxone is the first drug approved by the FDA for opiate dependence treatment in office based settings. This means that patients addicted to opiates may now choose to receive opiate-based treatment as an outpatient instead of in a hospital setting. Patients are evaluated and treated during office visits and receive a prescription for suboxone which they may fill at any pharmacy. Suboxone is comprised of two separate medications: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist, meaning its opiate effects are significantly reduced compared to that of full opiate agonists, such as vicodin or heroin. The naloxone in suboxone is not appreciably absorbed from the digestive track when suboxone is taken orally and is in place to prevent the misuse of suboxone by injection drug users. The combination of these two medications leads to suboxone’s effectiveness in treating opiate dependence.

About Suboxone Treatment

Suboxone treatment differs significantly from standard opiate dependence treatment programs. Traditionally, opiate addicts undergoing medical detoxification have been administered either methadone or a combination of drugs, each targeting a symptom of withdrawal. The latter approach usually must take place in an inpatient setting in order to be done safely, while methadone treatment requires a patient to visit a clinic on a daily basis to receive a prescribed dose. Suboxone treatment differs from these treatments in several important ways. Firstly, a prescription for suboxone can be obtained at a specially licensed physician’s office and filled at any pharmacy. This means the patient does not need to be admitted to a hospital or make daily visits to a methadone clinic in order to receive their medication. Secondly, because suboxone is a mixture of naloxone and buprenorphine, a partial opiate agonist with a long duration of action, the potential for abuse and overdose are much less than with methadone. Thirdly, because buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist, suboxone may be easier to taper off of than full opiate agonists like methadone.

About Intervention Treatment

Intervention Treatment, formed in 2007, is an internet resource offering help to those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Intervention Treatment provides referrals to drug and alcohol rehabs, intervention services, suboxone treatment referrals, and general information regarding addiction and treatment.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, and members of their management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-statements include fluctuation of operating results, the ability to compete successfully and the ability to complete before-mentioned transactions. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

Intervention Treatment

Pregnant Women Who Use Substances Can Deliver Healthy Infants With Early Treatment, Study Finds

Pregnant women with substance abuse problems can have successful pregnancies if they receive treatment early in their pregnancies, according to a Kaiser Permanente study released Thursday, USA Today reports. Women who use illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco usually are at greater risk than other women for complications during pregnancy.

The study was conducted by Nancy Goler, an ob-gyn at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, and colleagues. Goler says the key to success for the mothers was the approach to care at KPNC where pregnant women with substance abuse issues are provided care in one place. KPNC screens all pregnant women for illicit drug, alcohol and tobacco use. Pregnant women with substance abuse problems can receive counseling with on-site social workers and licensed therapists directly following their regular prenatal care appointments at KPNC.

For the study, the researchers examined a population of 50,000 pregnant women who sought care at KPNC. Of those women, 2,100 women received treatment at KPNC for substance abuse, while 160 women declined such treatment.

The women who received substance abuse treatment during their first trimester were no more likely than the other pregnant women who were not substance abusers to have a preterm delivery, or develop a condition in which the placenta detaches from the uterus, the study found. In addition, women who received substance abuse treatment were no more likely to deliver stillborn or low-birthweight infants or infants who required ventilator care, according to the study.

Goler said combining substance abuse counseling and prenatal care should become the “gold standard” of care for pregnant women. Ashlesha Dayal, a maternal-fetal specialist at Montefiore Medical Center who was not involved in the study, said the “one-stop shopping” approach at KPNC helps prevent women from cancelling appointments and reduces their need to leave work or find child care. However, she added that it could be difficult to duplicate the study’s success because most ob-gyns do not have access to therapists and social workers to treat patients with substance abuse problems. In addition, the women who received substance abuse treatment were a “select” group because they agreed to therapy. The study would be stronger if researchers randomly assigned some women to receive coordinated care and some to receive the usual medical care (Szabo, USA Today, 6/26).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women’s Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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Australian Medical Association Launches Publication On Health Risks Of Cannabis Use

To coincide with Drug Action Week 2008, the Australian Medical Association today launched a brochure about the short and long-term effects of cannabis use.

Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 is the AMA’s assessment of new evidence that has emerged about the nature and effect of cannabis use.

Drug Action Week 2008 is held nationally to raise awareness about alcohol and other drugs issues in Australia.

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said cannabis was the most common illicit drug used in Australia, particularly among young people, and it was important that they had access to accurate and easily-understood information about the potential harms of the drug.

“Doctors are concerned that people of all ages aren’t aware of the dangers of cannabis use,” she said.

“Many Australians, including teenagers and their parents, visit their GP on a regular basis. These visits are an opportunity for doctors to provide patients with credible and authoritative information about cannabis use.”

Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 relates the facts in an objective way, includes information on the mental health effects of the drug’s use, and provides sources of advice for people who wish to know more.

Dr Capolingua said the AMA existed to advocate for patients and to ensure that they received the best health system for their needs.

“The AMA will continue its efforts to improve the health of Australians through support for medical professionalism and public health education,” she said.

The brochure also includes information on the effects of short-term use of cannabis in small and large doses, long-term use, smoking cannabis during pregnancy, how long the effects last, psychological dependence and driving or operating machinery under the influence of the drug.

In 2007, 33.5 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 had used cannabis at least once.

Nearly 13 per cent of 14 to 19-year-olds (221,700 young people) had used cannabis in the last 12 months.

Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 (PDF)

Australian Medical Association
http://www.ama.com.au