I AM CURRENTLY GATHERING RESEARCH FROM MANY AREAS ON SEVERAL ISSUES. MOST IMPORTANT AT THIS TIME IS METHADONE. I HAVE SPENT MONTHS INTERVEIWING PATIENTS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND MY RESULTS HAVE BEEN ALARMING. THESE WILL BE POSTED SOON SO PLEASE RETURN FOR ALL THE CHANGES AS THEY TAKE PLACE AND ARE UPDATED. THANKS, NANCY
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It had always been my theory that major drug companies were
behind these Methadone clinics. These clinics that announce themselves to be a source of "Detox" really are nothing more then a source for controlled drug dealers "Legally". Instead of detoxifying a patient from other drugs they are only a non-stop supply. Many patients are on their programs for years.
Here is a link to Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, #1 provider of Methadone. They provide a locator for a clinic near you:
These are clinics that purchase from their company. This has become a muli-
billion dollar business for drug companies and doctors. One clinic in Kansas
had 4,000 patients X 75.00 per week X 52 weeks = $15,600,000.00 per year
(one clinic, one doctor) They say they are helping people detox. I say they have found a way to make millions off of people's weaknesses, addiction.______________________________________________________
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RAPID COMMUNICATION
Physician Awareness of the Cardiac Effects of Methadone: Results of a National Survey
This Article is Currently Unavailable
Page Range: 79 - 85
DOI: 10.1300/J069v26n04_10
Mori J. Krantz, Shane B. Rowan, John Schmittner, Becki Bucher Bartelson
Background: Levacetylmethadol was withdrawn from the U.S. market as a treatment for opioid-dependent patients in 2003 due to QT prolongation, leaving methadone as the primary therapy for over 200,000 individuals. Methadone was subsequently shown to prolong the QT interval as well. We hypothesized that opioid treatment program physicians are unaware of these safety concerns. Methods: To assess awareness of methadone's QT-prolonging properties, we conducted a national mail survey of physicians licensed as medical directors for accredited U.S. opioid treatment programs in 2006. The primary outcome was knowledge of methadone's QT-prolonging effects. Awareness of the cardiac effects of levacetylmethadol and buprenorphine were also assessed. Results: The survey response rate was 66% (692 physicians) of whom 35% were family practitioners, 25% internists, 22% psychiatrists, and 8% self-identified as addiction specialists. While 75% (95% CI, 72-78) correctly identified levacetylmethadol as a QT-prolonging drug, only 41% (95% CI, 3745) were aware of methadone's QT-prolonging properties. Just 24% (95% CI, 21-27) were aware of methadone's association with torsade de pointes. In addition, 52% (95% CI, 4856) correctly reported the absence of an association between buprenorphine and QT prolongation. Larger program census and academic setting tended to predict greater awareness of methadone's QT-prolonging effects; yet even in these subgroups awareness did not exceed 54%. Conclusions: Scientific publication alone has been inadequate in raising awareness regarding methadone's QT-prolonging properties, even among those who most often prescribe the drug. Universal education initiatives for all accredited opioid treatment programs seem warranted to enhance the safety of this essential therapy. doi:10.1300/J069v26n04_10
Keywords: Methadone, QT prolongation, torsade de pointes, arrhythmia, national survey
http://www.haworthpress.com/store/Toc_views.asp?sid=GWMGV16G43PM9HR45VR5AL4SJ4QX0293&TOCName=J069v26n04%5FTOC&desc=Volume%3A%2026%20Issue%3A%204
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Methadone and other Narcotics Purchased Online "The Internet"
This is how these online companies work:
1) If you do not have a doctor or a Rx they will provide one for you at a cost.
2) First, you select the drug of choice (check out their list) They provide a large spectrum of drugs from BP meds to narcotics "legally".
3) Choose your drug, then you pay a fee of approximately 300.00+ (this varies per company). This process is if you need a Rx. Some also require a membership fee, again, this varies per company.
4) Usually within a 24 hour window you will receive a phone call from a "legal" doctor. You will be asked questions in regard to your need for this Rx. In many cases you will be asked to provide some sort of proof of your need. This may be a portion of a medical record, labeling showing you have been on this drug in the past, etc. This also creates a "medical record, legally" (Cyber Docs). Most of these docs only work part time for these companies and can actually be sitting at the beach with a laptop as they speak to you. All done within "legal" guidelines.
Abnormal size doses are not given. This protects the docs and the companies from any "illegal" activity.
5) If everything is done properly you will receive your Rx in a few days. The Rx comes from very reputable pharmacies across the country. Usually the Rx comes from a near by area from your location. Example: A client from SC received his Rx in a three month period from Fla, Ga, & SC.
6) Usually on the second and third Rx you are only charged the cost of the Rx. After the third month the cycle starts all over again. These companies are closely monitored for "illegal" activity. Because they do not over prescribe, and provide reasonable medical documentation they continue to operate "legally".
The DEA has been watching these companies for years now and actually can not do anything as long as they operate under all required rules and regulations, and most of these companies do just that.
Because Methadone is a schedule 2 drug it now is being marketed along with Oxycontin, Percocet and etc. As we all know this is not a drug that needs to be accessed so easily. It is also very simple to forge what appears to be medical documents to pass on to these companies and their participating doctors.
Just wanted to explain how so many of these companies are "legally" operating. This is just another source to receive and distribute drugs. Since the companies are using thousands of different pharmacies, their sources never run out or are substituted.
I am still doing my research and when my findings are finally posted you will be amazed at what I have done and witnessed. I had no clue how huge this issue really was with the distribution of METHADONE. Stay Tuned !!!! 8-21-07