Research

Drug overdose deaths, caused mainly by prescription drug overdoses, are now the leading cause of injury death in the US, surpassing motor vehicle fatalities. The abuse of and addiction to opioids (e.g., heroin, morphine, and prescription pain relievers) is a serious global problem. It affects the health and social and economic welfare of all societies.

According to a National Institute of Drug Abuse study conducted in 2014, 18,893 people died from prescription opioid overdoses. Of these deaths, 10,574 were caused by illicit heroin. It is estimated that between 26 and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide. In 2012, an estimated 2.1 million Americans suffered from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers, while an estimated 467,000 were addicted to heroin.

Two years later, Drugfree.org and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services conducted a joint report. It showed that there are as many as 23.5 million adult Americans who have, at one time, had issues with alcohol consumption or drug use.

Field of the Invention

The present invention is in drug delivery systems, more specifically in the transdermal delivery of a non-specific, competitive opioid antagonist. This invention facilitates the application of the opioid antagonist to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It also maintains a steady-state level of short half-life drugs to prevent the recurrence of an opioid overdose over a prolonged duration extending several days. The invention is a simple and easy-to-use device that can be readily available when and where it is needed most by non-medical professionals.

Research

Field of the Invention

White Papers

Northport Research Capabilities

Patent Confirmation No. 1836

USPTO Patent Application