opioid crisis News

Family Behind Purdue Pharma Pushed Opioid Marketing, Massachusetts Says

Members of the wealthy Sackler family behind Purdue Pharma LP pushed it to boost sales of OxyContin and other opioids even as questions emerged about the extent its painkillers were being abused, Massachusetts’ attorney general alleged on Tuesday. Attorney General …

Connecticut Judge Dismisses Opioid Crisis Lawsuits Against Drugmakers

A Connecticut judge has dismissed lawsuits against Purdue Pharma and two dozen other drug companies brought by 37 cities and towns in the state, which blame them for the opioid crisis and seek to recoup millions of dollars spent on …

Different Rates of Opioid Prescriptions Linked to Worker, Employer, Injury Traits

Injured workers in mining and construction, those in rural counties or those who suffer fractures, carpal tunnel and neurologic spine pain are among those more likely to receive prescriptions for opioids than workers in other industries or locations or with …

Former Insys CEO Pleads Guilty to Opioid Bribes; Agrees to Work with Prosecutors

The former chief executive of Insys Therapeutics Inc. pleaded guilty on Wednesday to participating in a nationwide scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe an addictive opioid medication and has agreed to become a government witness. Michael Babich, who resigned as …

Former Insys CEO Babich Pleads Guilty to Opioid Prescription Bribe Scheme

The former chief executive of Insys Therapeutics Inc. has agreed to plead guilty to participating in a scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe a powerful opioid medication in order to boost its sales, U.S. prosecutors said on Wednesday. Michael Babich, …

Vermont Town Votes to Join Law Firm’s Opioid Lawsuit

A Vermont town’s select board has voted to work with a national law firm that plans to sue opioid makers over the drug crisis. The Bennington Banner reports Bennington will not have to pay for litigation as part of the …

Opioid Memorial in Houston as Part of Nationwide Tour

The National Safety Council on Monday made Houston the sixth stop on a nationwide tour of its exhibit, Prescribed to Death: A Memorial to the Victims of the Opioid Crisis, by unveiling the display inside the George R. Brown Convention …

Judge Allows New Jersey Case Against Drugmaker to Advance

A New Jersey court is allowing most of the state’s lawsuit against the maker of OxyContin to move forward. Superior Court Judge Thomas Moore dismissed a public nuisance claim against Purdue Pharma. But he’s allowing other the state’s case to …

Fatal Drug Overdoses in Ohio Increase to Record Number

Fatal drug overdoses increased to a record 4,854 last year in Ohio, a 20 percent rise compared with the previous year, according to information reported to the state. Data on unintentional drug deaths provided to the Ohio Department of Health …

Ohio Awards $2.4M in Opioid Science Challenge

Ohio awarded another round of prizes totaling $2.4 million in its global technology challenge seeking scientific breakthroughs to address the U.S. opioid crisis. The dozen winners from six states and Canada were judged the most promising of nearly 60 proposals …