Zogenix Announces David Brushwood, J.D., R.Ph., Joins External Safe Use Board

Zogenix, Inc.

, a pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products for the treatment of pain-related conditions and central nervous system disorders, today announced that David Brushwood, J.D., R.Ph., recently-retired Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy, has joined the company's External Safe Use Board. This group of independent experts is responsible for providing thorough feedback and recommendations regarding the use of Zohydro® ER (hydrocodone bitartrate) Extended-Release Capsules, CII. Zohydro ER is the first and only extended-release formulation of hydrocodone without acetaminophen and is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Professor Brushwood will provide expertise and guidance on pharmacy-level education, training and surveillance. His research interests are in the areas of regulating for outcomes, medication error prevention and pain management policy. Professor Brushwood graduated from the schools of pharmacy and law at the University of Kansas and practiced both professions before entering academia more than 30 years ago. Professor Brushwood is the recipient of several prestigious awards for his contributions in healthcare and pharmacy ethics, and he is a frequent contributor to pharmacy and law journals. "The work Zogenix is doing with pharmacy education is very innovative for a pharmaceutical company. I am pleased to be serving as a member of this independent board of distinguished experts," said Professor Brushwood. Board members have been participating in monthly meetings to review a variety of data inputs and discuss the benefit/risk profile of Zohydro ER, effectiveness of the current surveillance tools, current education and prevention programs, and identify opportunities to enhance signal detection or risk mitigation activities. "Zogenix has instituted a compelling and comprehensive surveillance program that is setting a new industry standard in the pain community," said Chairperson of the External Safe Use Board, Jeffrey Gudin, MD, Director of Pain Management and Palliative Care at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey. "The data to date are very encouraging, and demonstrate emerging positive trends around the appropriate use of Zohydro ER." In addition to Professor Brushwood, the following experts serve on the External Safe Use Board: Jeffrey Gudin, MD – Chairperson; Pain Management Specialist Director of Pain Management and Palliative Care at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey John J. Burke – Law Enforcement Specialist President of National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators; Owner and President of Pharmaceutical Diversion Education Inc. Debra Gordon, RN, DNP, FAAN – Patient Advocate Teaching Associate with the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle Herbert Neuman, MD, MBA – Pharmacovigilance Expert President of R3xperts LLC Scott Novak, PhD – Surveillance Expert Senior Developmental Epidemiologist at RTI International Steven Passik, PhD – Addiction Specialist Director of Clinical Addiction Research and Education at Millennium Laboratories