Expanded Testing to Detect Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues in Clinical Settings
LOS ANGELES, November 1, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Pacific Toxicology Laboratories responds to the dramatic increase in opioid overdose deaths by developing expanded testing to detect fentanyl and fentanyl analogues in clinical settings.
Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues have been linked to the overdose deaths of over 20,000 men, women and children in the United States in 2016. This reflects a greater than 500% increase over the previous three years. A FDA study reports that 82% of fentanyl overdose deaths involve illegally manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, compared with 4% originating from legal prescriptions. Data for the latter half of 2016 reveals that 70% of opioid overdose deaths resulted from fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Illegally-manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogues are being used to strengthen the potency of heroin and counterfeit Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and other prescription opioid pain-management medications. “There are few these days that don’t have family or friends who have been impacted by the Opioid Crisis. Our primary objective with the testing expansion is to give tools to treating medical providers to reduce the mortality rate,” said Jeff Lanzolatta Pacific Toxicology Laboratories’ CEO.
Except for the post-mortem analyses, there is little data on the use and abuse of fentanyl analogues because these substances have not heretofore been included in addiction treatment drug screening. Pacific Toxicology Laboratories now routinely screens and quantitates the presence of the following fentanyl analogues in urine samples: Butyryl Fentanyl, N-Phenyl –1– 4 - Piperidianamine, Furanyl Fentanyl, Ocfentanil, Acetyl Fentanyl, Alfentanil, Remifentanil, Sufentanil, Valeryl Fentanyl, Para-Fluorofentanyl, (+/-)CIS- 3- Methyl Fentanyl, Carfentanil, and Nor Carfentanil.
Established in 1984, Pacific Toxicology Laboratories is an independent SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) certified and CLIA licensed laboratory. Pacific Toxicology Laboratories offers comprehensive testing services for substance abuse and mental health treatment centers.
If you would be interested in learning more contact Donald Simpson, M.D. or Jeff Lanzolatta at 818-678-4459 or go to http://www.pactox.com and click on latest news.
Source: Pacific Toxicology Laboratories