Saxena, Parnika P. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6527-8615
Bodkin, J. Alexander
Article History
First Online: 15 November 2018
Compliance with Ethical Standards
:
: Parnika Saxena has no conflicts of interest to declare. J. Alexander Bodkin has a potential conflict due to longstanding efforts to advance the development of buprenorphine as an effective treatment for resistant depressive illness. He has helped Alkermes to engage in a development program of a buprenorphine/samidorphan preparation for use as an adjunctive treatment for resistant depression. This guidance was provided gratis; however, compensation was provided for participation in annual day-long group meetings with a group of academics held by Alkermes in Boston. His lab was also provided with funding for their work on a study on the long-term safety and efficacy of Alkermes’s buprenorphine/samidorphan preparation. Dr Bodkin will not benefit financially if the Alkermes preparation is approved and marketed, nor will he be harmed financially if it is not approved. Dr Bodkin authored one of the first American studies of buprenorphine in depression in 1995 and is one of the leading experts in the US on the use of opioids in depressive illness. He has assessed legal cases over the years as an expert on behalf of psychiatrists facing regulatory or civil litigation for having used opioids in treating resistant depression.
: No sources of funding were used to assist with the preparation of this review.