Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTCQB: NPHC), a biotechnology company mar keting Nyloxin® and Pet Pain-Away™ in the over-the-counter (OTC) pain management market, announced today the appointment of Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dowd, US Army (Ret.) as Strategic Advisor for the Company's newly created 'Military & Veterans' business segment. General Dowd will support Nutra Pharma's efforts in presenting the Company's non-opiate, non-narcotic over-the-counter (OTC) pain solution, Nyloxin® to the US Military and the Veteran's Administration.
"We have long known that opiate abuse and NSAID overuse are twin medication problems with substantial impact on our military and veterans, especially those suffering combat-related injuries," commented Rik J Deitsch, CEO of Nutra Pharma. "Chronic pain and use of opioids carry the risk of functional impairment of our American fighting force. Nutra Pharma's Nyloxin will help military members and ve terans by offering an effective natural alternative to the treatment of chronic pain," he continued. "Major General Dowd has witnessed the negative effect of opioid habituation in both our active duty military and in our veterans; and we are pleased to have someone with his history of advocacy assist our military efforts," he concluded.
Military members received over 6.5 Million opioid prescriptions in 2012. Government research shows that 1-in-7 active duty Army service members are on prescription opioids, and that 25% of them meet the clinical criteria for substance dependence (Army, 2012). Prescriptions for pain relief written by military physicians quadrupled between 2001 and 2009. For veterans, in the eleven years from 2001 to 2012, VA prescriptions for the opioid hydrocodone increased by 4,100% percent. The importance of opioid misuse and abuse continues to be covered extensively in both the public and the military media.
But prescription drugs are not the only iss ue impacting our military and veterans. It is reported that some 7,600 Americans die from use of non-steroidal-anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and another 78,000 are hospitalized. Using NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen in high doses for chronic pain leads to potential for critical health risks, including stomach problems, internal bleeding and even kidney failure. There are significantly greater health risks with NSAIDs when abuse of this drug is combined with alcohol intake.
Gen. Dowd responded to these issues: "Our hope is that with Nyloxin, we can greatly reduce the instances of opiate abuse and overuse of NSAIDS in high risk groups like the US military. Of special importance to service members is the introduction of 'Nyloxin Military Strength' -- a special formulation designed for active duty and retired military. Those now serving our country, and those who have served, deserve strong relief that effectively combats chronic, often debilitating pain without the damaging side -effects common to other treatments. Nyloxin offers them this safe, natural solution."
Major General Dowd was Director of Logistics Operations for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). During his 30-plus year Army career, among other assignments, Gen Dowd served in Kuwait (commanding general 1st Theater Sustainment Command), Iraq (US Army Central Command) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom), and is a graduate of the US Army War College. Major General Dowd's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Nutra Pharma will announce further strategic business segment actions over the coming weeks. The Company expects to address Nyloxin® chronic pain solutions for the Sports-Athletic market as well as for Aging Individuals and Baby Boomers. Nutra Pharma is also addressing chronic pain in pets, especially dogs and cats, with Pet Pain-Away™.
About Nutra Pharma Corp.
Nutra Pharma Corporation operates as a biotechnology company specializing in the acquisition, licensing, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of neurological disorders, cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) and Pain. Additionally, the Company markets drug products for sale for the treatment of pain under the brand Nyloxin® and Pet Pain-Away™. For additional information about Nutra Pharma, visit:
http://www.NutraPharma.com or
http://www.nyloxin.com
