Help those with addictions

[Debbie Stafford]

I am a pastor’s wife in Louisville, Kentucky, currently working at a relatively new pharmaceutical company, US WorldMeds (www.usworldmeds.com).

On October 9, 2006, US WorldMeds announced that it is currently enrolling 264 study subjects across 14 clinical trial sites nationwide in USWM-001, a major, pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of Lofexidine. When approved by the FDA, Lofexidine would be the first and only non narcotic drug approved to relieve the debilitating withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate detoxification.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that drug and alcohol addiction, which affects millions of people in the United States, costs the nation nearly $500 billion a year - more than diabetes and cancer combined. The number of hardcore heroin abusers in the United States is estimated between 600,000 and 1 million. In addition, the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently reported that 2.4 million US citizens began using opiates for non-medicinal purposes over the past 12 months.

Currently, the only FDA approved option for treating opiate addiction is through the use of methadone and buprenorphine, both of which are synthetic opiates with their own addictive tendencies. Both drugs are also scheduled drugs requiring individuals seeking treatment to visit only a limited number of currently available licensed detox centers and/or licensed practitioners. Many opiate addicts lack access to such care. When approved by the FDA, Lofexidine could be prescribed by any physician and be dispensed by any pharmacy anywhere in the United States.

We are currently seeking additional patients to enroll at the trial sites. Patients will have to pass a prescreening evaluation prior to acceptance in the clinical trial, and must test positive for opiates (cannot test positive for methadone or buprenorphine). Patients must be aware that this is a double blind study and there is a 50% chance they will receive placebo instead of lofexidine.

The trial sites are located in the following cities:

Detroit, MI
Lexington, KY
Atlanta, GA
Washington, DC
Nashville, TN
Staten Island, NY
Wauwetosa (Milwaukee), WI
Dallas, TX
Hoffman Estates (Chicago), IL
San Antonio, TX
Providence, RI
Salt Lake City, UT
Seattle, WA

I feel strongly that after the trials and upon FDA approval, this drug will help SO MANY family members/friends/associates with their addictions. It will truly be a blessing!

Many of you may know individuals who are currently addicted to opiate drugs (including prescription drugs such as oxycodone). If these individuals are seeking freedom from their addiction and are interested in enrollment in such a trial, please contact me at ds@usworldmeds.com and I will forward information to the Clinical Project Manager.

Thanks for your time. God bless you!