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