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DrugScreening.org


 
Prometa Study Dumped by Wash. Town
April 22, 2008

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News Summary

The city of Federal Way, Wash., has dropped plans to test the Prometa drug-treatment regimen, the Tacoma News-Tribune reported April 21.

The city had planned to spend $20,000 on a trial of Prometa, which relies on doses of vitamins and other drugs to treat addiction. However, city officials now say that Prometa is unproved. "The more we learned the more we became concerned whether this was an appropriate use of the city's resources," said City Council member Jim Ferrell.

Earlier, Pierce County, Wash., ended a Prometa program after questions arose about the therapy's effectiveness and a newspaper investigation revealed that a number of public and private officials in the county owned stock in the company.

A Federal Way city staff report recommended against the trial, saying that no studies have yet been conducted on Prometa's effectiveness. "Moving forward at this time would be a risky decision," the report said. "While Prometa might one day be a wonderful tool to enhance dependency treatment, today it is just an experimental procedure with wonderful personal experiences."

The council voted 6-0 against Prometa; Mayor Jack Dovey said the program should have gone forward and said he will try to get the trial funded next year.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Susan T on 20 May 08 10:09 PM EDT
RE Peter K's "this population has a greater chance of being sue happy", What scientific study did you get that piece of info from. As a recovering addict who has been sober for many years, I am very offended by that type of logic, insinuating that becuse someone has a substance abuse problem they are more likely to bring about frivilous law suits is just plain ignorant.

Posted by drdoyle@rbccc.com on 24 Apr 08 10:48 PM EDT
There are a few studies being conducted. The three medications are old, cheap generics, except for one IV medication (which might have an oral counterpart??). Prometa's treatment, however, is very expensive. Prometa promotes to government drug courts rather than university trials. The science is still shaky. Prometa's CEO reportedly had an AIDS "cure" several years ago.

Posted by connie on 24 Apr 08 11:57 AM EDT
ok guys, look at related articles Clark County, Wash looks at "meth tax" Now that's what I'm talking about. Yea for them

Posted by John French on 23 Apr 08 03:03 PM EDT
Until Prometa is subjected to an independent scientific clinical trial comparing it to placebo, all that the other commenters below say is nothing more than hearsay.

Posted by connie on 23 Apr 08 02:57 PM EDT
I agree with you Bill D. Public funds should not be spent unwisely. However, it may be that those funds were targeted for such a thing. Yes, the Prometa people need to get their act together & finance a study.

Posted by John from Oceanside on 23 Apr 08 01:44 PM EDT
Prometa charges thousands of dollars for their treatment. Drug Company has to pay for their own trials, why should the tax payers have to spend one cent. If they want a trial Prometa should pay for it themselves. If I remember right it would be two of their $10,000 treatments.

Posted by Bill D on 23 Apr 08 11:52 AM EDT
Some clients will benefit from any form of treatment you can think of. The placebo effect is not small and spontaneous remission from addiction does occur. The question is not whether some have been helped but whether a new treatment is superior to or more cost effective than established treatments. No double blind studies have been performed on Prometa. It's promoters have shown more commitment to the profit motive than to scientific integrity by exaggerating early results. Public funds should not be spent on Prometa until it's benefits are scientifically established.

Posted by sterling on 23 Apr 08 11:21 AM EDT
I am in recovery and a student studying to be a substance abuse counselor. I believe any thing that will keep us from using is worth trying. The ultimate goal is to "not use no matter what". Yea Tom the city council will probably spend the 20k on a consultant to tell them they should have spent the money on Prometa.

Posted by connie on 23 Apr 08 09:55 AM EDT
It may not be a cure, but remission of any kind is good. Besides, if it puts people into remission without cravings, even for a period of time, Prometa may be on to something & it should be investigated.

Posted by CONNIE on 23 Apr 08 09:49 AM EDT
Tom I have been looking into Prometa for my son who is addicted to crack. Thank you for sharing your cousins success. I too believe that there needs to be more funds directed toward addiction treatment research instead of building more prisons, etc. Society needs to change its thinking in the reality of how addiction affects society as a whole in our quality of life. Prometa needs to be given a chance!!

Posted by Peter K on 23 Apr 08 09:35 AM EDT
Cure? maybe sustained remission. Don't forget the Tx being used is all prescribed off label. This population has a greater chance of being sue happy and municipalities have legal issues involved,unfortunate but real

Posted by tom on 22 Apr 08 09:06 PM EDT
I don't understand what is wrong with the City Council. maybe the 20k will go to plant trees or cut grass or paint the City Hall. Prometa works. My cousin was on meth for years. He did the 12 step program. it didn't work. he went to Hazeldon in Mn. he still craved the stuff. Finally he went Ca. and got the Prometa cure. He hasn't wanted to take meth for 9 mos. now. he is a changed person. where would we be if we waited for a 100% cure rate for all diseases? the Council is not too bright.

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