NEW YORK, March 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. George E. Anastassov, MD, DDS, MBA and Chief Executive Officer of AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC:AXIM) was recently appointed to the American Pain Association (APA)’s Board of Advisors. AXIM® Biotech holds more than 15 years of cannabis-based research and development knowledge of non-addictive pain alleviating alternatives to highly addictive opioid-based medications. The APA Board is appealing to the Surgeon General of the United States to actively address the nation’s largest epidemic: prescription opioid pain medication abuse.
Claiming the lives of 40 individuals per day, statistics show that the No. 1 health crisis in America, prescription drug abuse, has caused more deaths in the last year than:
- Traffic accidents - 18,630
- Guns - 13,367
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) website states, “At least half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid.”
Over the last 15 years, more than 500,000 Americans, including young ones, have been killed by the drug overdoses. According to a report including data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):
- Prescription drug abuse in the U.S. is the fastest-growing drug problem
- Nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 in the U.S. began by using a prescription drug non-medically
- Over 70 percent of people in the U.S. who abused prescription pain relievers got them from friends or relatives
The financial burden of prescription pain drug abuse to society is massive; prescription drugs are being paid by health insurance causing trillions of dollars to tax payers and society over the last 15 years.
On March 22, the FDA announced enhanced warnings for immediate-release opioid pain medications related to risks of misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose and death. On March 26, HHS announced that the agency is taking strong steps to address opioid-drug related overdose, death and dependence.
Also, as evidenced by FDA warnings on the safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from July 2015, even over-the-counter (OTC) pain management medications have come under increased scrutiny. The FDA will now require updates to the labels of these medications showing increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Further, NSAIDs have a tendency toward injury of the mucosa of the GI tract causing ulceration, bleeding, etc.
A 2014 report published in JAMA Internal Medicine states that fewer people are dying from opioid overdoses in states that have legalized medical marijuana. The study found a nearly 25% reduction in prescription painkiller deaths in states where cannabis is a legal treatment option.
A world leader in cannabis-based drug development, AXIM® Biotech’s core belief is responsibility for environmental stewardship combined with development of innovative products to address current conditions with no known effective treatment including: Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), PTSD, autism, MS, spasticity, pain, RLS (restless leg syndrome), glaucoma, IBD, IBS and Crohn’s disease.
MedChew Rx™, an AXIM® Biotech breakthrough invention on pace to be fully registered by the EMA and FDA by the end of 2017, is the world’s first patented cannabinoid (THC/CBD) controlled-release chewing gum. Recently featured by Reuters global news agency, MedChew Rx™ will change the way that medicine is delivered to patients worldwide. In direct comparison to a sublingually delivered cannabis-based product currently on the market for multiple sclerosis (MS), the Reuters article explains the potential for MedChew Rx™ at an estimated $4.8 billion USD – for spasticity and pain associated with MS.
To arrange for media interviews, contact Andrew Hard, Public Relations Spokesperson, at Andrew.Hard@CMWmedia.com or call 888-829-0070.
About AXIM Biotechnologies:
AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC:AXIM) is an innovative biotechnology company focusing on research, development and production of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic products where we prioritize the well-being of our customers while embracing a solid fiscal strategy. For more information, visit the Company website at www.AXIMBiotech.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Axim Biotechnologies, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
AXIM® Biotechnologies does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). The company does grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products.