drug

Six charged after drugs seized at airport

Three men, two women and a teenage girl are due to appear in court charged with drug offences.




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COORDINATING KNOWLEDGE CREATION IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS: EVIDENCE FROM EARLY-STAGE DRUG DISCOVERY

Based on a multi-year field study of early-stage drug discovery project teams at a global pharmaceutical company, this paper examines how multidisciplinary teams engaged in knowledge creation combine formal and informal coordination mechanisms when faced with unpredictable interdependencies among specialists' knowledge domains. While multidisciplinary teams are critical for knowledge creation in increasingly specialized work environments, the coordination literature has been divided with respect to the extent to which such teams rely on formal coordination structures and informal coordination practices. Our findings show that when interdependencies among knowledge domains are dynamic and unpredictable, specialists design self-managed (sub-)teams around collectively held assumptions about interdependencies based on incomplete information (conjectural interdependencies). These team structures establish the grounds for informal coordination practices that enable specialists to both manage known interdependencies and reveal new interdependencies. Newly revealed interdependencies among knowledge domains, in turn, promote structural adaptation. Drawing on these findings, we advance an integrative model explaining how team-based knowledge creation relies on the mutual constitution of formal coordination structures and informal coordination practices. The model contributes to theory on organizational design and practice-based research on coordination in cross-disciplinary knowledge creation.




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Ex-Philippine President Duterte says ICC should ‘hurry up’ on drug war investigation

MANILA: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the International Criminal Court (ICC) should ‘hurry up’ with its probe of his war on drugs, remaining firm in his defence of the brutal campaign as he said the investigation should start immediately.

“I’m asking the ICC to hurry up, and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow,“ Duterte said in a congressional inquiry on his war on drugs.

“If I am found guilty, I will go to prison.”

According to police data, more than 6,200 people died in anti-drug operations under Duterte’s presidency, during which police typically said they had killed suspects in self-defence.

Human rights groups believe the real toll to be far greater, with thousands more users and small-time peddlers killed in mysterious circumstances by unknown assailants.

“I assume full responsibility for whatever happened in the actions taken by law enforcement agencies of this country to... stop the serious problem of drugs affecting our people,“ Duterte said.

The ICC last year cleared the way for an investigation to into the thousands of deaths and other suspected rights abuses.

The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in March 2019, when Duterte was president. Appeals judges at the ICC subsequently ruled prosecutors still had jurisdiction over the alleged crimes because they occurred when the Philippines was an ICC member.




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Sarawak police seize drugs worth more than RM300,000 in Matang

KUCHING: Sarawak police seized 10.4 kilograms (kg) of syabu estimated to be worth RM332,800 in a raid conducted at an apartment in Matang on Monday.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said during the raid, a 57-year-old local man who tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine was also arrested.

“The total amount of drugs seized could be used by 52,000 addicts and a Kawasaki Z900 motorcycle estimated to be worth RM50,000 was also seized.

“Initial investigations by the police also found that the suspect had a record of past offences under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,“ he said in a statement here today.

Mancha said the suspect would be remanded for seven days from today until Nov 19 to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.




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Drug war: They shoot children, don’t they? (1)

One hundred twenty-two children – aged 1 to 17 – were killed in the first half alone of Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year bloody drug war.




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No contempt citations for ex-president Duterte as he refrains from swearing at House drug war probe

The House of Representatives saw quite a toned-down but more gutsy version of former President Rodrigo Duterte as he refrained from swearing at the House probe into his bloody anti-narcotics campaign.




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Govt bans sale of drug-related items to curb narcotics use

Sales of wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, ceramic pipes, roach clips, chillums banned




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Drug Approvals and FDA AdComms in 2023

Having passed the mid-year point, it is always an interesting exercise to take stock of where we stand with respect to the approval of new medicines. Overall, when considering the volume of activity, things would seem to be looking up … Continue reading




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FDA’s OPDP Sends First Regulatory Letter of the Year Aimed at Rx Drug Promotion

Last week FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion issued its first regulatory action letter of the year. This was an Untitled Letter – a/k/a Notice of Violation Letter (NOV) – sent by the agency to Novartis in relation to promotional … Continue reading




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Australian hockey player Craig suspended for one year over Paris Olympics drug bust

The suspension, announced by Hockey Australia, mandates Craig serve at least half of the ban




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ANF seizes 643 kg of drugs in 10 nationwide raids

At least 10 suspects, including a woman, arrested as ANF seizes drugs worth more than Rs 80 million





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Alarming rise in cancer rates among people under 50, Turmeric may be as good for treating indigestion as drug to curb excess stomach acid, Potato Pizza

This week Zorba and Karl discuss a new study that shows an alarming rise in cancer rates among people under 50, and they examine new research showing turmeric may be […]




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New NIOSH toolkit designed to protect first responders from illicit drug exposure

Washington — A new virtual toolkit from NIOSH is intended to help protect first responders from exposure to illicit drugs, including fentanyl – a synthetic opioid considered up to 50 times more potent than heroin.




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Groups divided over hair sampling for truck driver drug tests

Washington – The American Trucking Associations wants Congress to allow fleets to use hair samples to test truck drivers for illegal drugs.




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FMCSA gives states 60 days to downgrade licenses of CMV drivers with drug, alcohol violations

Washington — State driver’s licensing agencies will have 60 days to initiate mandatory downgrades of commercial driver’s licenses and commercial learner’s permits once notified that a commercial motor vehicle operator has failed a drug or alcohol test, under a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration final rule set to go into effect Nov. 8.




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Five major industries see double-digit jump in positive drug tests, analysis shows

Secaucus, NJ — The rate of positive drug tests rose by double digits in five of 16 major U.S. workforce industry sectors from 2015 to 2017, according to a recent analysis by lab services provider Quest Diagnostics.




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Incentive programs, post-incident drug testing not prohibited under electronic recordkeeping rule, OSHA says

In a memo sent Oct. 11 to regional administrators and state designees, the agency outlines examples of acceptable drug testing, and states that incentive programs that withhold prizes because of an injury are compliant “as long as the employer has implemented precautions to ensure that employees feel free to report an injury or illness.”




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NTSB: Drug use among general aviation pilots increasing

Washington – The number of pilots involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for potentially impairing drugs has nearly doubled in a 23-year span, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board.




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AMA task force recommendations aimed at solving nation’s drug-related overdose, death epidemic

Elk Grove Village, IL — The American Medical Association, along with more than two dozen other organizations, has issued a list of recommendations to help end the nation’s epidemic of drug-related overdose and death.




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DOT proposes oral fluid drug testing as an alternative method

Washington — The Department of Transportation has issued a proposed rule that would revise industry drug testing protocol by adding oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine testing for commercial motor vehicle operators and workers in other safety-sensitive transportation positions.




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Positive drug tests for U.S. workers at highest level in 20 years: annual index

Secaucus, NJ — Paced by a continuing increase in marijuana positivity rates, the positive drug test rate for U.S. workers reached its highest level in two decades in 2021, according to an annual analysis conducted by lab services provider Quest Diagnostics.




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Sharp uptick in fatal on-the-job drug overdoses in Kentucky spurs hazard alert

Lexington, KY — Responding to an “alarming trend” of drug overdose deaths in the workplace statewide over a recent 18-month period, the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center recently issued a hazard alert.




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DOT proposes use of electronic forms for drug and alcohol testing

Washington — The Department of Transportation is requesting public comment on a proposed rule that would allow the use of electronic forms and signatures for drug and alcohol testing.




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Freight-carrier alliance pushes for federal recognition of hair-sample drug testing

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment on a freight-carrier alliance petition regarding the use of hair samples as a drug-testing method for commercial motor vehicle drivers.




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FMCSA denies petition for federal recognition of hair-sample drug testing

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied a petition calling on the agency to recognize hair samples as an alternative drug-testing method for truckers, reasserting a long-standing position that it lacks the statutory authority to do so.




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DOT to include oral fluid option as alternative drug-testing method

Washington — The Department of Transportation has approved oral fluid drug testing as an alternative to urine testing for truck drivers and workers in other safety-sensitive transportation positions.




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DOT goes ‘Back to Basics’ for drug and alcohol testing agents

Washington — The Department of Transportation has created “reminders” that highlight common issues service agents encounter during the drug and alcohol testing process.




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Login changes coming for users of DOT’s drug-testing database

Washington — The Department of Transportation is changing how users access the Drug and Alcohol Testing Management Information System.




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White House drug control policy office releases recovery-ready workplace toolkit

Washington — The White House wants to help employers support workers who are dealing with substance misuse – as well as those in recovery. As part of the effort, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has released a toolkit.




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Drug test cheating surges to highest rate ever, annual index shows

Secaucus, NJ — The percentage of U.S. workers whose drug test showed signs of tampering skyrocketed in 2023 to its highest level in over 30 years, according to Quest Diagnostics’ annual Drug Testing Index.




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SAMHSA expands federal workplace drug-testing guidelines to include opioids

Washington – Mandatory guidelines for drug testing of federal employees have been updated to include testing for four semi-synthetic opioids, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced.




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ATA pushes for hair samples as drug-testing alternative

Arlington, VA – The American Trucking Associations is calling for the federal government to release guidelines and standards regarding the use of hair samples as a drug-testing method for commercial motor vehicle drivers.




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Preventing prescription drug abuse

Prescription drug abuse is a rising epidemic that can significantly affect the workplace. Symptoms of prescription drug abuse can be hard to spot. However, if you suspect an employee is abusing or addicted to a prescription medication, contact human resources or your employee assistance program.




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Study of worker absenteeism points to need for employer support of drug treatment programs, researchers say

Boston — Employees who use illicit substances have increased absenteeism – a “compelling argument” for employers to promote employee treatment programs, results of a recent Boston University study show.




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Study looks at reasons behind health care worker drug overdoses

New York — Registered nurses, social and other behavioral health workers, and people in health care support face a significantly higher risk of drug-overdose death, according to the results of a recent study.




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The importance of workplace drug testing

Why is workforce positivity for marijuana a problem?




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Effectively deter and detect drug use at work

What’s the primary goal of workplace drug testing? Why is it better for employers to anchor their workplace drug testing policy on deterrence?




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Taking ‘Z-drugs’ to help you sleep? FDA says be careful

Taking prescription medicines known as “Z-drugs” for insomnia may lead to complex sleep behaviors, overdose, injury and – in rare cases – death, the Food and Drug Administration cautions in a recent alert.




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Drugstore gift card

Founded in 1901 and visited by more than 6.1 million customers daily, Walgreens leads the chain drugstore industry in sales and profit.




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DOT oral fluid drug testing in a holding pattern

Washington — Although oral fluid drug testing has been federally approved for truck drivers and workers in safety-sensitive transportation positions, its use as an alternative to urine testing has been delayed and remains in flux.




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DOT proposes using e-forms for drug and alcohol testing

Washington — The Department of Transportation is accepting comment on a proposed rule that would allow the use of electronic forms and signatures for drug and alcohol testing.




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As date for DOT rule on oral fluid drug testing nears, will labs be certified?

Washington — Although oral fluid drug testing is a federally approved alternative for truck drivers and other transportation workers in safety-sensitive positions, a key hurdle stands in the way.








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Drug Safety Ministry: ADHD Pills Marketed to Students Preparing for CSAT

[Domestic] :
Ahead of the College Scholastic Ability Test(CSAT), several companies have been caught illegally distributing medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) and posting misleading advertisements for the pills.  According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Monday, an intensive ...

[more...]




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Selective Acceleration and Inhibition of Crystal Growth of Glass Carbamazepine by Low-Concentration Poly(ethylene oxide):Effects of Drug Polymorph

Low-concentration poly(ethylene oxide) exhibit the polymorph-dependent effects on both the surface and bulk crystal growth of carbamazepine polymorphs. These polymorph-dependent effects of PEO were mainly attributed to the polymer enrichment at the interface and different crystal surface-polymer interactions.




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The role of alkyl chain length in the melt and solution crystallization of paliperidone aliphatic prodrugs

Fatty acid-derivative prodrugs have been utilized extensively to improve the physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients. However, to our knowledge, the crystallization behavior of prodrugs modified with different fatty acids has not been explored. In the present work, a series of paliperidone aliphatic prodrugs with alkyl chain lengths ranging from C4 to C16 was investigated with respect to crystal structure, crystal morphology and crystallization kinetics. The paliperidone derivatives exhibited isostructural crystal packing, despite the different alkyl chain lengths, and crystallized with the dominant (100) face in both melt and solution. The rate of crystallization for paliperidone derivatives in the melt increases with alkyl chain length owing to greater molecular mobility. In contrast, the longer chains prolong the nucleation induction time and reduce the crystal growth kinetics in solution. The results show a correlation between difficulty of nucleation in solution and the interfacial energy. This work provides insight into the crystallization behavior of paliperidone aliphatic prodrugs and reveals that the role of alkyl chain length in the crystallization behavior has a strong dependence on the crystallization method.