Psychemedics Awarded Patent Fundamental To Hair Analysis Drug Testing

The world’s largest drug testing company using hair analysis received its seventh United States Patent dedicated to liquefying hair to release drug analytes. Acton, Massachusetts, January 24, 2012 – Psychemedics Corporation (NASDAQ: PMD), hair testing pioneer and global leader for 25 years, announced today that the United States Patent Office issued a seventh patent, US … Read more

Prescription Drug Overdoses — a U.S. Epidemic

In 2007, approximately 27,000 unintentional drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, one death every 19 minutes. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States. The increase in unintentional drug overdose death rates in recent years (Figure 1) has been driven by increased use of a class of prescription drugs … Read more

Columbia Student Wymbs Is Sentenced to Five Years’ Probation in Drug Case

Michael Wymbs, one of five Columbia University students arrested in December 2010 and charged with selling drugs on the New York school’s campus, was sentenced to five years’ probation. Prosecutors said undercover officers, in a five-month investigation nicknamed “Operation Ivy League,” spent $11,000 buying drugs including cocaine, marijuana, Ecstasy and LSD-laced candy, with most sales … Read more

Senator Says a Proposed Painkiller Would Worsen Drug Crisis

A new “super drug” under federal review would only intensify the painkiller-abuse crisis, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday. Schumer urged the Food and Drug Administration “to proceed with great caution” before approving the sale of a pure hydrocodone pill _ 10 times stronger than Vicodin. A pharmaceutical company has said it will soon apply … Read more

Failing a Drug Test Can Cost You A Job

With retiring baby boomers and a slowly recovering economy, the demand for skilled workers – such as mechanics, pipefitters and commercial truckers – is on the rise. But companies in Texas are facing a shortage of these skilled laborers. Part of the problem is that workers simply do not have the vocational training to fill … Read more

Exxon’s Shale Driller Tightens Drug Testing for Rig Workers

Union Drilling Inc. (UDRL), the rig owner hired by Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) to explore U.S. shale rock formations for natural gas, toughened drug testing of rig workers in an attempt to cut down on accidents. Union is switching to hair-follicle tests from urinalysis to detect drug use, Chief Executive Officer Christopher Strong said at … Read more

Painkiller 10 Times Stronger Than Vicodin Being Developed

Four American drug companies are developing a new pain killer said to be ten times stronger than the popular prescription painkiller Vicodin, which has many addiction experts concerned. The pharmaceutical companies have begun testing on pills that contain hydrocodone in its pure form, the first of its kind, CBS News reports. Hydrocodone is in the … Read more