CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY AND SENATE PASS
SENATE BILL 1838 (CHESBRO)

Canoga Park, California - Steve Maulhardt, V.P., is proud to report of the successful passage of Senate Bill 1838 (Chesbro).   The bill is considered a significant victory to Aegis' battle against the "stigma" associated with "Harm Reduction" and recovering addicts.  This bill, once incorporated into new regulation, will increase the acceptance rates of NTP's by "mainstream" practitioners, as well as improve the accessibility of these services to recovering addicts.

SB1838, also authorizes the use of buprenorphine in maintenance or detoxification programs.  The bill's endorsement of buprenorphine was largely influenced by the successful completion of the NIDA funded "Buprenorphine Study" as well as the FDA approval of buprenorphine that followed the study. 

Aegis was involved with the "Buprenorphine Study" from its commencement in 1999.  Together with UCLA, Betty Ford and Haight Ashbury, the members of the pacific node of the NIDA Clinical Trial Network ("CTN") were the first to successfully conclude the study.  The study's results, published in 2004, showed Buprenorphine (at doses of >8mg/day) to be as effective as methadone as a maintenance treatment option.

In Aegis' support of buprenorphine, Steve Maulhardt testified successfully before the State Assembly Health Committee and the State Assembly's Safety Committee.  SB1838 was unanimously approved by both houses and approved by the Governor on September 29th, 2004.   

For further information on Aegis Medical Systems, Inc. please visit www.aegismed.com.

Aegis Medical Systems, Inc., operates one of the largest chains of narcotic treatment programs in the nation. Headquartered in Canoga Park California, Aegis has 26 clinics throughout the state serving over 5,500 patients per day. For the last six years, Aegis has focused its efforts on raising clinical standards and regulatory compliance. Since 2000, Aegis has allocated significant resources to the training of its 300 employees, and to the development of new and more effective treatment policies, protocols and procedures, as well as expanded its Scope of Practice to address the various medical, mental and socio-economic needs of its patients. 

Aegis is also supporting the successful recover of its patients through its Patient Advocacy and Advisory Group (PAAG), Keys To Recovery (K2R) support groups, as well as commissioned offices for an Ombudsman, General Counsel, and Legislative Analyst (Jim Gonzalez & Associates). Additionally, Aegis has participated in pharmaceutical and behavioral research studies with other leading institutions (e.g., NIDA, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, Rand Corporation, Friends Research, etc.) 

The Aegis Family of Corporations includes Aegis Medical Systems, Inc., Aegis Institute, Inc. (a non-profit organization), and Nationwide Medical Group, Inc. (a professional corporation).

Contact Persons:

Thaiphong Vo, Executive Assistant
Aegis Medical Systems, Inc.
(818) 206-0360

 

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