Psychemedics Test for Fentanyl Detection Cleared by FDA
Industry’s first and only FDA-cleared Fentanyl screen available now
ACTON, MA, April 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Psychemedics Corporation (NASDAQ:PMD), the world leader and pioneer in detecting drugs of abuse using hair analysis, today introduced the industry’s first and only FDA-cleared hair test for Fentanyl, a major killer increasingly found in illegal drugs.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in March 2019, drug overdose deaths involving Fentanyl skyrocketed over 1,000% between 2011 and 2016. Also according to the CDC, “Beginning in the last quarter of 2013 through 2016, the number of deaths involving fentanyl increased nearly every quarter to more than 5,800 deaths.”
Psychemedics’ new Fentanyl test is an accurate and economical way to equip companies and educators with the capability to quickly detect people at risk and take steps to deter usage. This additional test reinforces the company’s leadership, scientific innovation, and positions Psychemedics as the trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies and schools to create drug-free workplaces and campuses.
Psychemedics’ innovation extends a sustained track record of industry firsts
Since pioneering the hair testing industry in 1986, Psychemedics has consistently been first with innovations that advance the science of detecting drugs of abuse using hair, including:
- First company to patent a process that releases virtually 100% of ingested drugs from inside the hair.
- First company to develop and market hair tests for ecstasy (MDMA), synthetic opioids, Adderall, synthetic cannabinoids, and EtG (alcohol).
- First and only company to have its hair test for benzodiazepines cleared by the FDA.
- First and only company to develop and utilize an FBI-validated extended wash process that eliminates external contamination as a contributor to a positive hair test result.
- Most recently, the first to introduce a confirmation process for measurement of hydroxycocaines, unique cocaine markers that allow the company to apply additional metabolic criteria to confirm cocaine use.
This announcement marks another milestone for the Company consistently being first to market with technologies and processes that give Psychemedics’ clients the edge in creating safer workplaces and campuses.
“New Cocaine” and “Fake Xanax” make this an urgent problem
Test results tracked by Psychemedics are consistent with data collected by federal agencies in showing troubling trends in the drug landscape. Some traditional drugs-of-abuse have trended up the past three years. In particular, cocaine laced with Fentanyl—we call this “New Cocaine”. Sadly, New Cocaine has become alarmingly deadly claiming a record number of victims in 2017. Similarly, Fake Xanax – – actually Fentanyl labeled as that prescription drug – – is now contributing to the opioid death totals and is becoming particularly deadly for younger adults. Psychemedics scientists recognized the threats Fentanyl introduced and created this screen as a top priority to address what is becoming a national epidemic.
Availability of the FDA-cleared test for Fentanyl
The Psychemedics FDA-cleared hair test screen for Fentanyl is available April 24, 2019. Psychemedics clients can add the screen to their drug panels and should contact their account representative for details. Medical Directors, Environmental Health and Safety Professionals, and Educators who wish to learn more about this and other tests can find information at https://psychemedics.wpengine.com/fentanyl-testing/.
About Psychemedics
Psychemedics is the pioneer and global leader of testing for drugs of abuse using hair analysis. With over 30 years of continuous innovation, Psychemedics is the only company to develop and patent a process that releases virtually 100% of ingested drugs from the inside of the hair. We believe Psychemedics’ superior science delivers the most sensitive FDA 510(k) cleared tests in the world resulting in unmatched detection rates.
Psychemedics’ results, science, and people are trusted by the world’s most safety-sensitive industries, the largest law enforcement agencies as well as by schools and elite institutions around the globe. The most recognized companies in the Fortune 500 rely on Psychemedics to ensure they are building drug-free, safe, and productive workforces. We make businesses, our nation’s highways, and campuses safer.
Psychemedics quite literally invented the science that re-invented an industry. We are the standard against which all others measure themselves for sensitivity, quality, and innovation to stay ahead of the ever-changing illicit drug landscape.
The Psychemedics web site is www.psychemedics.com
Charles Doucot
Executive Vice President
(978) 206-8220
Charlesd@psychemedics.com
Recent Posts
- More Education Required before we call CBD a Cure-all
- Psychemedics Test for Fentanyl Detection Cleared by FDA
- Psychemedics Announces First Quarter Results And Declares 91st Consecutive Quarterly Dividend
- New Psychemedics Offering Further Enhances Cocaine Detection
- Psychemedics Corporate Newsletter – June 2018
Archives
- September 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- June 2018
- May 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- September 2017
- August 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- March 2008
- January 2008
- November 2007