For Immediate Release
Managed Care, Long-Term Care Division Raises the Awareness of Challenges in Opioid Dependence Treatment
Recent Supplement to Managed Care – First Report® Paints a Bleak Picture But Offers Hope
Malvern, PA (June 22, 2009) – The Managed Care, Long-Term Care Division of HMP Communications, LLC, developed and produced a Special Disease State Supplement, which was sent to the circulation of Managed Care – First Report® as well as to physicians specifically trained in the treatment of opioid dependence.
This supplement, titled “Understanding Opioid Dependence: Outcomes form HereToHelp,” discusses the limited options and disheartening statistics surrounding the treatment of people suffering from opioid dependence.
The Harrison Narcotic Act made the treatment of these patients with narcotics illegal. However, as a result of the FDA approving schedule III-IV for the treatment of opioid dependence, Suboxone® (buprenorphine/naloxone) CIII and Subutex® (buprenorphine) CIII have become the only agents available to physicians who have been granted clearance to participate in office-based opioid treatment.
A reasonable estimation of the prevalence of opioid dependence in the United States is 10% to 15% of the population and unfortunately of these persons, only 17.3% are seeking treatment. Even worse, those who eventually seek treatment, have a high rate of withdrawal before their treatment is completed.
In addition to reviewing this bleak outlook, this supplement also discusses a new resource available to opioid dependent patients and subsequently the health care professionals treating them.
Sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser, HereToHelp is a program that provides Care Coaching to opioid dependent patients who are undergoing treatment. The Care Coaches make periodic phone calls to the patients, helping them with their journey toward recovery.
This supplement is helping to build awareness of this resource, and greater use of this resource may lead to a higher chance of recovery.