opioid crisis News

Indianapolis Sues Several Opioid Makers, Distributors

The city of Indianapolis sued several manufacturers and distributors of prescription painkillers in federal court on Nov. 14, alleging that their actions are to blame for the city’s growing opioid crisis. The lawsuit contends that the “dramatic increase” in painkiller …

Fewer Opioids Prescribed in Louisiana Following Medicaid Expansion

New data from the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy show there are fewer opioids being prescribed since Medicaid expansion began in July 2016, the Louisiana governor’s office reported. According to the Board of Pharmacy which …

Local Governments in Wisconsin Sue Opioid Drug Makers

Nearly two dozen Wisconsin counties say in a federal lawsuit that “nefarious and deceptive” marketing campaigns from pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the nation’s opioid overdose epidemic. The lawsuit filed Nov. 7 says local governments’ health and law enforcement services …

Louisiana Attorney General Wants Control of Governor’s Opioid Lawsuit

Louisiana’s attorney general is trying to take control of a lawsuit filed by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration accusing pharmaceutical companies of worsening opioid abuse in the state. The Advocate reports that Attorney General Jeff Landry wants to expand the …

Shareholder Activists Press Drug Firms on Business Risks of Opioid Crisis

U.S. shareholder activists are addressing a soaring death toll from opioid drug abuse, asking companies that make and distribute the painkillers to review the risks their businesses could face from their role in the sector. Leaders of a 30-fund group …

Ohio County Sues Drugmakers Over Opioid Surge

County officials in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County are suing several large prescription drug companies saying they intentionally misled the public about the dangers of opioids. The lawsuit filed by Cuyahoga County says the drugmakers and distributors sought to increase sales of …

What Trump Declaring Opioid Crisis a Public Health Emergency Means

U.S. President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency on Thursday, stopping short of a national emergency declaration he promised months ago that would have freed up more federal money. Responding to a growing problem, particularly in …

Drugs in Workplace a Danger to Workers and Drag on Productivity

At Philip Tulkoff’s food-processing plant in Baltimore, machines grind tough horseradish roots into puree. “If you put your arm in the wrong place,” the owner says, “and you’re not paying attention, it’s going to pull you in.” It’s not a …

Drugmakers Ask for Dismissal of Ohio AG’s Opiate Lawsuit

Five drugmakers are asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Ohio attorney general that alleges they helped perpetrate the state’s addictions epidemic. Attorney General Mike DeWine accuses the companies of intentionally misleading patients about the dangers of …

FDA Chief Gottlieb Eyes Overhaul of Opioid Regulation

The Food and Drug Administration, as part of a sweeping overhaul in how it regulates opioid painkillers, plans to look to some unusual allies to limit the flood of the addictive pills — health insurers and companies that manage prescription …