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Nexafed decongestant thwarts illegal meth makers

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PALATINE, Ill. — Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc. has launched Nexafed, a nasal decongestant with a technology that disrupts the conversion of pseudoephedrine into the dangerous drug methamphetamine.

Nexafed uses Acura’s Impede technology, which disrupts the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine.

The company said Monday that Nexafed, a 30-mg, immediate-release pseudoephedrine cold medicine, is available now to national and regional drug wholesalers and is due to be available to pharmacies soon.

"The launch of Nexafed is a significant milestone for Acura and in the continued fight against meth in the U.S.," stated Robert Jones, president and chief executive officer of Acura Pharmaceuticals. "Acura is highly committed to addressing the needs of local communities by investing in the development of abuse-deterrent technologies and medicines. It’s not about innovating once, but continuing to improve on the technology without compromising efficacy."

In a recent market research study, Acura said, 70% of chain and independent pharmacists involved in pharmacy stocking decisions said they were likely to stock or recommend stocking Nexafed in their pharmacies. The pharmacists also indicated a willingness to recommend Nexafed to over 50% of their customers who seek a pharmacist’s advice in need of a single-ingredient nasal decongestant.

"We hope the availability of Nexafed empowers pharmacists to impact meth abuse at a local level by stocking and recommending the product," added Jones.

Nexafed delivers the same efficacy as leading pseudoephedrine cold medicines, according to Acura. Pseudoephedrine is the primary ingredient converted during illegal methamphetamine production. But Nexafed employs Acura’s Impede polymer matrix technology, which disrupts the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine, the company said. If abusers try to extract the pseudoephedrine out of Nexafed to make methamphetamine, the inactive ingredients in the polymer matrix will form a thick gel to block the extraction and disrupt conversion of pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine.

"The introduction of cold and allergy products with abuse-deterrent technologies is a significant step forward for communities across the country affected by the debilitating effects of meth production," commented Priscilla Lisicich, executive director of Safe St. located in Tacoma, Wash., and former co-chair of the National Methamphetamine Training and Technical Assistance Center. "A medicine that deters meth production without compromising efficacy will ensure people have access to the medicines that they need."

Methamphetamine production and abuse has become a serious problem in communities nationwide, Acura noted. Last year, an estimed 439,000 Americans ages 12 years and older abused methamphetamine, and more than 10,000 clandestine labs were found in the United States.


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