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Alcohol Treatment Research: Innovative drugs of abuse testing system announced

Concateno plc, Europe's largest provider of drug and alcohol testing programmes, and Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) have recently announced an innovative handheld drugs-of-abuse detection device.

Concateno-Philips pioneering system will make testing for drugs such as cocaine and heroin quicker, simpler and easier enabling immediate point-of-care drug test results, similar to current alcohol tests. Concateno and Philips will deliver the new solution to selected customers in the second half of 2009.

At launch, the Concateno-Philips handheld product will test five drug groups at the same time (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, amphetamine and cannabis) in a single saliva sample. Total test time of the new device, from collection of sample to result, will be less than 90 seconds. This represents a significant advance on existing test times, which can take up to five times longer to complete. Other significant features of the test include its sensitivity and ease of use, which has been enhanced by the product's innovative cartridge design and data collection to ensure a reduction in the steps required to obtain results.

With drug abuse a growing issue in today's society, Concateno and Philips share a commitment to working with government, employers, healthcare and law professionals to help reduce the impact of this problem. Point-of-care testing is one initiative the two organisations are exploring, bringing together Concateno's expertise in the field of immunoassay development with Philips' revolutionary 'Magnotech' technology.

Point-of-care testing for drug screening is a test carried out beside or near to the individual being tested, immediately after they have provided a sample for detection. The benefits of point-of-care testing flow from having test results in a few minutes. The need for speed, multi-analytical testing, plus robustness and reliability of method are all central to effective testing.

"This enhanced run time and ease of use will make the new system ideal for worldwide roadside testing, as well as for the criminal justice sector, workplace testing markets and emergency room scenarios where a quick result is key to treatment," said Fiona Begley, Concateno chief executive officer.

"We are convinced that the next generation point of care testing devices will cause paradigm shifts in the way diseases are diagnosed and in the way the abuse of drugs is tested, and this will have a positive impact on society," said Marcel van Kasteel, VP of Philips and CEO of Philips Handheld Immunoassays. "The Concateno-Philips drug screening test will be the first product that features Philips' Magnotech technology, a new biosensor technology that uses magnetic nanoparticles to measure low concentrations of target molecules in blood and saliva."

Lower alcohol limit needed to reduce deaths on our roads, says British Medical Association

Commenting on the launch of the Road Safety Compliance consultation BMA Head of Science and Ethics, Dr Vivienne Nathanson said:

"There are a number of sensible ideas in this consultation which if adopted will help improve the nation's road safety.

"It is particularly encouraging that the Government intends to investigate the impact of drugs on driving, as well as initiate a major awareness campaign on the issue.

"Research suggests that illicit drugs contribute significantly to road accidents in this country. It is vital that the public is educated about the dangers of drug driving and that the police are given more support, both in training and resources, so that they can tackle this dangerous issue.

"The BMA also supports the removal of a drunk driver's ability to request a second alcohol test by a doctor if they are just over the limit. Modern technology renders such a requirement completely redundant and some drivers may be exploiting this option in the hope that their alcohol levels will drop while they are waiting for a doctor to arrive.

"The BMA will continue to lobby the Government strongly to reduce the current drink drive limit. The science is clear: a 50mg limit would lower the number of road crashes, deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

"The introduction of the current limit, backed up by police enforcement and a hard-hitting media campaign, led to a dramatic fall in the number of deaths on the road, but the position has been stagnant since 1993. We need a new impetus, with a lower limit, to reduce the 2,946 deaths and around 30,000 injuries that occurred on Britain's roads last year."

DryOutNow.com provides highly practical help for people with alcohol problems, their friends and relatives. DryOutNow.com also provides free resources for healthcare professionals such as medical information and alcohol treatment guidelines.

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