Pharmacotherapy, as a means of treating drug addiction in combination with other treatment modalities, has received too little attention from the research community, the pharmaceutical industry, public health officials, and the federal government. Medications to combat drug addiction could have an enormous impact on the medical consequences and socioeconomic problems associated with drug abuse, both for drug-dependent individuals and for American society as a whole. This book examines the current environment for and obstacles to the development of anti-addiction medications, specifically those for treating opiate and cocaine addictions, and proposes incentives for the pharmaceutical industry that would help overcome those obstacles and accelerate the development of anti-addiction medications.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
2 Overview of the State of Scientific Knowledge Concerning Drug Addiction
3 Assessment of the Medications Development Division
4 Treatment Setting and Effectiveness
5 Treatment Financing and Trends in Health Insurance
6 Training and Education
7 Federal Laws and Regulations
8 State Laws and Regulations
9 Market Obstacles and Creating Incentives
Appendix A: Acknowledgments
Appendix B: Organization and Mission Statements of NIDA's Medications Development Division and Its Branches
Appendix C: Diagnostic Criteria for Psychoactive Substance Dependence
Appendix D: Survey of Pharmaceutical Companies
Appendix E: Model Federal Programs in Pharmaceutical R&D
Appendix F: Workshop Agenda and Participants
Appendix G: Health Care Reform Legislation
Appendix H: Acronyms