Cmdr John Burke

The Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced that all hydrocodone products will have a Cll status effective October 6, 2014.

The DEA has asked the FDA to consider rescheduling marijuana.

The steady illicit use of benzodiazepines, especially alprazolam, should not be ignored.

It's no surprise that heroin, readily available and at prices far lower than those of pharmaceuticals, is the abuser's current drug of choice.

Even though the FDA approved Zohydro ER, politicians have either banned the drug on the state level through executive order or introduced legislation to do so.

There has been quite a bit of chatter among law enforcement authorities and health professionals about the launch of this extended-release hydrocodone product.

Our columnist sees a bright future for abuse-resistant formulations.

Cmdr Burke connects with the OSU College of Pharmacy's program for reducing prescription drug abuse.

The FDA recently cleared the way for giving hydrocodone combination products a CII status, so pharmacists should be prepared for the consequences of this potential change.

The legalization of medical marijuana by many states continues to be a hot topic.

The author highlights the book Staring Down the Barrel, which addresses the growing concerns and problems facing everyday pharmacists as they are confronted by prescription drug diverters and armed robbers.

NADDI has announced a new program to educate the very young about drug safety and abuse.

Thousands of criminal Internet pharmacies dispense millions of dosage units of pharmaceuticals.

The author presents 3 important strategies.

Measures can be taken to reduce and improve the outcome of crime in the pharmacy.

Drug task force data reveal the abuse-deterrent reformulation of OxyContin to be an overwhelming success.

China has become a major supplier of anabolic steroids and counterfeit look-alikes to US traffickers.

Prescription drug take back programs keep dangerous medications out of the wrong hands.

State prescription-monitoring programs will now have access to a wealth of VA hospital data.

A 2-part initiative to deter painkiller abuse and pharmacy robberies is underway in New York City.

Should abuse-deterring features be required for approval of new opioids?

Collaboration will be critical in the upcoming year.

In the crackdown on abuse of painkillers, legitimate patients can end up facing undue suspicion.

Health care professionals are sometimes a part of the drug diversion and abuse problem.

Prevention methods, although difficult to measure, have a positive impact on curbing substance abuse among the youth of this country.

Despite the rampant abuse of hydrocodone/acetaminophen, the debate over its classification continues.