Kaleo launches campaign on safe opioid use

RICHMOND, Va. — Kaleo Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the launch of a new campaign called “America Starts Talking,” in what it says is an effort to start a conversation among providers, patients and families about safe prescription opioid use. The campaign is being undertaken in partnership with the American Chronic Pain Association, the Pain Community, the U.S. Pain Foundation and the American Academy of Pain Management.

“As someone who has lived with pain for over 40 years, I understand how crucial a role medications play in managing symptoms and the stigma that can go hand-in-hand with this type of prescribed therapy,” American Chronic Pain Association CEO Penney Cowan said. “The hope is that when 'America Starts Talking' more about this important issue, some of the misperceptions about opioid use will change and we'll see an increase in conversation surrounding safe use of opioid pain medication as part of a pain management plan that could ultimately save lives.”

The company has launched AmericaStartsTalking.com as a resource for people, offering downloadable discussion guides and educational interactive elements that cover opioid emergencies like accidental overdose and potential adverse interactions. The company said that the educational material is aimed preventing some of the unintentional deaths caused by opioid use, as 80% of opioid-related deaths are.

“Many people think an opioid emergency could never happen to them but the truth is it can happen to anyone where an opioid may be present,” Dr. Anita Gupta, Vice Chairman and Associate Professor at Drexel University College of Medicine, said. “Recent survey data show that starting conversations on this topic is not always easy to do and therefore is sometimes avoided – on both sides. Now is the time to foster lines of communication, bring this issue out in the open and help people impacted by pain be prepared in the event of an opioid emergency.”