Beyond Fentanyl: How the Drug Crisis Is Changing

Rhea-AI Summary

QuidelOrtho (Nasdaq: QDEL) released episode 59 of its Science Bytes podcast, focused on how the U.S. drug overdose crisis is evolving and implications for toxicology testing. The episode, hosted by Josh Casey with guest Vonda McAllister, draws on new guidance from the Association for Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine (ADLM).

Key points include three consecutive years of declining U.S. overdose deaths in 2025, persistent risks from counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills, rising polysubstance use, and emerging synthetic opioids such as nitazenes that can evade routine screening. The discussion stresses closer collaboration between laboratories and emergency departments and highlights laboratories’ role in test selection, result interpretation and supporting timely patient care decisions.

News Market Reaction – QDEL

-0.60%

-0.60% Session close to close

In the Jul 23 session, QDEL declined 0.60%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

The prior Science Bytes episode, news_id 1061204, was followed by a 4.03% 24-hour reaction, giving t...

Analysis

The prior Science Bytes episode, news_id 1061204, was followed by a 4.03% 24-hour reaction, giving this podcast release a company-specific historical reference. The main risk is that prior media interest may not represent broader business performance.

Key Figures

Podcast episode: Episode 59 Decline streak: Third consecutive year Fentanyl-laced pills seized: Millions annually

3 metrics

Podcast episode Episode 59 QuidelOrtho Science Bytes podcast

Decline streak Third consecutive year U.S. overdose deaths declined in 2025

Fentanyl-laced pills seized Millions annually Counterfeit medication threat

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jul 15 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jul 15	Inducement grant	Neutral	+0.1%	CFO received 356,555 restricted stock units under the 2026 Inducement Plan.
Jun 23	Leadership change	Neutral	-3.5%	Micah Young was appointed CFO effective July 6, succeeding retiring CFO Joseph M. Busky.
Jun 02	Healthcare collaboration	Positive	+0.1%	QuidelOrtho and Allo Hope Foundation partnered on education and early testing.
May 21	Podcast release	Positive	+4.0%	Science Bytes episode 58 addressed HDFN, laboratory testing, and coordinated care.
May 20	Investor conferences	Neutral	+3.8%	Management scheduled presentations at William Blair and Jefferies healthcare conferences.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

QDEL's prior podcast and collaboration announcements were followed by positive reactions, while other corporate updates produced mixed outcomes.

Key Terms

in vitro diagnostics, toxicology testing, polysubstance use, nitazenes

4 terms

in vitro diagnostics technical

"a global leader of in vitro diagnostics"

In vitro diagnostics are medical tests performed on samples taken from the body—such as blood, urine or tissue—using instruments or kits outside the patient to detect disease, measure biomarkers or guide treatment decisions. They matter to investors because sales, regulatory approvals, reimbursement rules and adoption rates drive companies’ revenue and margins much like product launches and consumer demand in other industries; advances can create growth or disruption in healthcare markets.

toxicology testing medical

"the growing complexity of toxicology testing"

Testing that evaluates whether a chemical, drug, or product causes harm to living things by measuring toxic effects, safe dose ranges, exposure routes, and how it behaves in cells, tissues, or animals, and increasingly in human-relevant lab models. It matters to investors because results drive regulatory approval, safety labeling, development timelines, costs, and potential liability—similar to a car crash test showing whether a product can be sold and at what price.

polysubstance use medical

"amid counterfeit medications, polysubstance use and emerging synthetic opioids"

Use of two or more psychoactive substances—prescription drugs, over‑the‑counter medicines, alcohol, or illicit drugs—either at the same time or in overlapping periods. Like mixing ingredients in a recipe, combining substances can change effects, safety, and treatment response; that variability matters to clinical outcomes, regulatory reviews, workplace safety, and the interpretation of health and liability risks that can affect company performance and investor assessments.

nitazenes medical

"Emerging synthetic opioids such as nitazenes"

Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioid chemicals developed as pain-relief compounds but now most often encountered as powerful illicit drugs. They act on the same brain receptors as other opioids but can be much more potent, increasing risks of overdose and prompting public health, law enforcement, and regulatory responses; think of them as a stronger, newer cousin of well-known synthetic opioids. Their presence affects markets for drug testing, medical treatment, legal liability, and regulatory enforcement.

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SAN DIEGO, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- QuidelOrtho Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL), a global leader of in vitro diagnostics, has released episode 59 of its Science Bytes podcast examining how the drug overdose landscape continues to evolve and what laboratory and emergency department professionals need to know to support patient care. Based on new guidance from the Association for Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine (ADLM), the episode explores the growing complexity of toxicology testing amid counterfeit medications, polysubstance use and emerging synthetic opioids.

Hosted by Josh Casey, the episode features Vonda McAllister, Director of Global Product Management at QuidelOrtho. Together, they discuss encouraging declines in overdose mortality while highlighting the ongoing challenges facing clinicians and laboratorians as the illicit drug supply becomes increasingly unpredictable.

Key Insights:

• U.S. overdose deaths declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, signaling progress in the fight against the opioid crisis
• Counterfeit medications remain a significant threat, with millions of fentanyl-laced pills seized annually
• Polysubstance use is increasingly common, creating more complex clinical presentations for patients
• Emerging synthetic opioids such as nitazenes are attracting attention due to their potency and limited detectability in routine screening
• New ADLM guidance emphasizes collaboration between laboratories and emergency departments to improve toxicology testing and interpretation

Despite progress in reducing overdose deaths, the discussion underscores that the crisis has not disappeared. Instead, it has evolved into a broader challenge requiring ongoing awareness, education and collaboration across the healthcare continuum.

The episode also highlights the critical role laboratories play in helping clinicians understand toxicology results, select appropriate testing strategies and make informed patient care decisions in rapidly changing drug environments.

Listen to the latest episode of the QuidelOrtho Science Bytes podcast on major streaming platforms or at: https://www.quidelortho.com/global/en/resources/podcasts/quidelortho-science-bytes 

About QuidelOrtho Corporation
With expertise spanning clinical chemistry, immunoassay, immunohematology and molecular testing, QuidelOrtho Corporation (Nasdaq: QDEL) is a leading global provider of diagnostic solutions, dedicated to advancing fast, accurate and reliable results that help improve patient outcomes – from the point of care to hospital, lab to clinic. Building on a legacy of innovation, QuidelOrtho works with healthcare providers to advance diagnostics that connect insights with solutions, defining a clearer path for informed decisions and better care.

Investor Contact: 
Juliet Cunningham
Vice President, Investor Relations
IR@QuidelOrtho.com

Media Contact: 
Stephanie Kleewein
Senior Corporate Communication and PR Manager
Media@QuidelOrtho.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beyond-fentanyl-how-the-drug-crisis-is-changing-302832746.html

SOURCE QuidelOrtho Corporation

FAQ

What is the focus of QuidelOrtho (QDEL) Science Bytes podcast episode 59 released in July 2026?

Episode 59 focuses on how the drug overdose crisis is changing and what laboratory and emergency department professionals should know. According to QuidelOrtho, it examines evolving toxicology testing needs amid counterfeit medications, polysubstance use and emerging synthetic opioids, based on new ADLM guidance.

How does QuidelOrtho (QDEL) describe recent U.S. overdose death trends in its July 2026 podcast?

QuidelOrtho reports that U.S. overdose deaths declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, indicating progress. According to QuidelOrtho, the discussion also emphasizes that the crisis persists and has shifted into a broader, more complex challenge requiring continued vigilance, education and collaboration across healthcare settings.

What role do laboratories play in the evolving drug crisis according to QuidelOrtho (QDEL)?

QuidelOrtho states that laboratories are critical in helping clinicians understand toxicology results and select appropriate testing strategies. According to QuidelOrtho, labs support interpretation in rapidly changing drug environments and collaborate with emergency departments to improve testing and patient care decisions.

How does the QuidelOrtho (QDEL) podcast address counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills and polysubstance use?

The episode highlights counterfeit medications as a significant ongoing threat, noting millions of fentanyl-laced pills seized annually. According to QuidelOrtho, it also describes polysubstance use as increasingly common, leading to more complex patient presentations and added challenges for toxicology testing and clinical decision-making.

What are nitazenes and why are they discussed in QuidelOrtho (QDEL) Science Bytes episode 59?

Nitazenes are emerging synthetic opioids mentioned for their potency and limited detectability in routine screening. According to QuidelOrtho, they are attracting attention because they complicate standard toxicology testing and underscore the need for updated approaches and closer lab-clinician collaboration.

Where can investors and clinicians listen to QuidelOrtho (QDEL) Science Bytes episode 59 on the changing drug crisis?

Episode 59 is available on major streaming platforms and on QuidelOrtho’s website. According to QuidelOrtho, listeners can access it via the Science Bytes podcast page at the provided URL to hear detailed discussion on evolving overdose and toxicology issues.