The panelists discussed the impact of this epidemic on health care and communities

nationwide

NASHVILLE – Aegis Sciences Corporation recently convened experts from across the country for the first installation of its key opinion leadership series, titled “Designer Drugs: Facing the Impact.” Experts discussed the current state of synthetic drugs in the United States, the evolution of the drug market, and the impact of synthetic drugs for communities and clinical care.

Each panelist brought unique perspectives to this issue and shared insights into the specific ways that the current synthetic drug market impacts their fields, from research and regulation to patient care and harm reduction. Joshua Schrecker, Pharm.D., Aegis’s director of Clinical Affairs, served as the moderator.

Bryce Pardo, Ph.D., associate director, Drug Policy Research Center, and policy researcher at the RAND Corporation in Washington, D.C., gave an overview of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) and how they are regulated by government organizations worldwide. Additionally, he talked about national efforts that have been developed and are ongoing to curtail the opioid epidemic and reduce overdose deaths.

 “According to the United Nations, today there are more than 1,100 novel psychoactive substances that are being monitored by international early warning networks. That’s three times the number of substances that are controlled internationally,” Pardo said.

Alex Krotulski, Ph.D., serves as associate director for The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education in Willow Grove, Pa., which monitors drug use trends and identifies NPS compounds.

“There’s been a trend of increasing potency in a lot of the new drugs that we’re seeing, like opioids and cannabinoids,” Krotulski said. “There are new and emerging substances that are sometimes several times more potent than fentanyl.”

 Kevin Fischer, M.D., chief medical officer of Columbia River Mental Health Services in Vancouver, Wash., and Amy West, MSN, FNP-C, family nurse practitioner for Penobscot Community Healthcare in Bangor, Maine, provided insights on how synthetic drug use impacts clinical care and the prevalence of different classes of drugs that they see within their respective patient populations in Washington and Maine. 

“Around 99 percent of the time, or more, the patients I’m seeing had no idea what was in their substances,” West said. “We’ve used our confirmation testing for patient education and harm reduction, and it has changed the nature of our visits to be more collaborative.”

When asked about trends in his community, Fischer noted, “Our data has shown a dramatic shift in our region away from heroin as the prevalent opioid of choice to fentanyl.”

Both indicated that testing has enabled them to put information into the hands of their patients about their risk of exposure, which has had a positive impact on harm reduction.

To watch a recording of the session, visit the Aegis website. The “InPractice: Clinical Insights” series will consist of timely panel discussions regarding topics affecting the health care industry and the myriad ways in which testing can offer clarity on these issues, including the evolution of the designer drug market, addiction recovery plans, effective utilization of medication monitoring, and more.