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Prescription Drugs: Dependency and Support

At Lannett, we feel it is critically important that patients, who depend on medicine to help ease their pain, have access to medicine. At the same time, we are committed to working with others to find ways to address the growing addiction epidemic that exists in the U.S.

Appropriate Drug Use and Drug Dispensing

The appropriate use and dispensing of all prescription medicines is an issue that Lannett takes very seriously. Opioids in particular, are at the center of a national crisis, impacting many families and communities in the U.S. There is also a national debate surrounding opioids, as many patients who suffer from chronic pain need access to these important medicines. We at Lannett are committed to working with all stakeholders to support efforts to combat opioid addiction, while enabling access to patients who have a legitimate need for these medicines.

Addiction vs. Dependence

It is important to distinguish between addiction and physical dependence. Chronic pain affects nearly 50 million American adults, while 25 million U.S. adults reported having chronic pain on a daily basis. (source: http://americanpainsociety.org/about-us/press-room/nih-study-shows-prevalence-of-chronic-or-severe-pain-in-u-s-adults)

  • Dependence: Patients who live with chronic pain have a need to take pain medication and may develop a dependence on these medicines – this means that they will experience symptoms when they do not take the medication.
  • Addiction: This is when a person has a mental or psychological craving for a medicine.

There are many organizations that support patients living with pain; as well as provide resources for those who may be addicted to pain medication. We have listed a few below for your convenience.

  • The U.S. Pain Foundation (https://uspainfoundation.org/): The mission of U.S. Pain Foundation is to empower, educate, connect, and advocate for people living with chronic conditions that cause pain. As a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving those who live with pain conditions and their care providers, U.S. Pain Foundation helps individuals find resources and inspiration.
  • The American Chronic Pain Association (https://www.theacpa.org/): The Mission of the ACPA is to facilitate peer support and education for individuals with chronic pain and their families so that these individuals may live more fully in spite of their pain. To raise awareness among the health care community, policy makers, and the public at large about the issues of living with chronic pain.
  • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (https://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/index.html): The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used. AHRQ priorities are described.
  • The Chronic Pain Research Alliance (http://www.cpralliance.org/): The Chronic Pain Research Alliance (CPRA) is the country’s first and only research-led collaborative advocacy effort dedicated to changing the lives of those with Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions (COPCs).

Safe Medication Disposal

Leaving medications around can contribute to misuse and addiction. Once you have finished a course of prescription medication, we strongly urge you to dispose of any leftover medication to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Our Medication Disposal page has updated information and links to the FDA guidelines for proper medication disposal.

Contact your Doctor for Help with Prescription Drug Dependency

If you are concerned about potential drug dependency in yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to contact your physician. Your doctor will be able to monitor the situation, assist you in dealing with any physical or mental symptoms, and connect you with the best resources to help.

 

Any reference to any organization or services related to such organization or any linkages from this website to the website of another party, do not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of such organization.  It is your responsibility to conduct your own due diligence and assessment of the organizations and services.