Most Substance Abusers Work
A new survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that most of the nation's 16.4 million illicit drug users and 15 million heavy alcohol users are employed full time. The report, available at SAMHSA's Web site, is compiled from the 2002, 2003, and 2004 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. The data are somewhat misleading in that full-time workers account for two-thirds of the survey population, so most substance users will be employed, according to SAMHSA. Illicit drug use was highest among the cohort aged 18–25 years, at 19%, compared with 10% for those aged 26–34 years, 7% for those aged 35–49 years, and 3% for those aged 50–64 years. The highest rates of current use were among food service workers (17%) and construction workers (15%). Alcohol use was highest among construction, mining, excavation, and drilling workers (18%), and installation, maintenance, and repair workers (15%).
Psychologist Prescribing Vetoed
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R) has vetoed a bill that would have allowed psychologists to prescribe medications. SB 1004 was opposed by the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and five consumer mental health organizations, according to the AACAP. In an editorial about the legislation published in the Honolulu Advertiser in early July, AMA board member Dr. Jeremy Lazarus said, “This bill would allow health care professionals who have not undergone extensive and necessary education and training to prescribe powerful and potentially dangerous medications to patients.”
Army to Educate on Mental Health
The U.S. Army is beginning a program aimed at having every soldier–and his or her family–learn the symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder and to help them seek treatment. The goal is for all active duty and reserve military personnel to receive training by mid-October. The Army will use what it calls a “chain-teaching” method, with education coming down the chain of command. Leaders can retrieve materials–consisting of a 35-page guide and video and slide shows–at
Alzheimer's Programs Recognized
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America recently awarded “Excellence in Care” status to two dementia care programs that met standards for high performance. The two programs, both based in New York City, are the first to receive this designation. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America began the program last November and to date has trained about 40 specialists to conduct on-site evaluations and to work with facilities to improve performance and adopt best practices. The recognized facilities are the 80th Street Residence, which is an assisted living facility, and Ozanam Hall, which is a skilled geriatric and short-term rehabilitation facility. More information on the recognition program is available at
Overseas Drug Purchases Unabated
Two new reports suggest that despite multiple warnings, Americans are continuing to buy pharmaceuticals from overseas, mostly through the Internet. A new survey by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America shows that more than 5 million adults–or more than 2% of the U.S. population–have recently purchased prescription drugs from another country, such as Canada or Mexico. The vast majority said they were looking for the best price, but about half decided to import because they didn't have a prescription. Overseas shoppers were more likely to be younger than age 35, to be Hispanic, to live in a southern border state, and to spend more out-of-pocket money on prescription drugs than did nonimporters, PhRMA reported. Most of the products were for chronic ailments. Separately, the Food and Drug Administration said that consumers often can get the same products for less money in the United States. New data from examinations of foreign mail shipments show that 45% of the imports were available here as generics, many for $4 each. Among the drugs being imported that were cheaper here, according to the FDA, were atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, metformin, simvastatin, and warfarin.
CMS Releases Medicaid Rule
CMS has unveiled a new method of setting limits on what the federal government will reimburse state Medicaid agencies for prescription drug payments. As part of the new regulation, states will be required to collect information from physicians about prescription drugs administered in their offices so that the state can collect any rebates offered by drug manufacturers on those products. The final rule will take effect Oct. 1. The regulation is expected to save states and the federal government $8.4 billion over the next 5 years, but even with the change, the Medicaid program still is expected to spend $140 billion for drugs over the same time period. The change is in part a reaction to a series of reports showing that Medicaid payments made to pharmacies for generic drugs were much higher than the amount pharmacies actually were paying for the drugs. Pharmacies, the reports showed, made the most profit on those generic drugs with the highest markup, creating an incentive to dispense those drugs.