FDA Chief: Big Players In ‘Internet Ecosystem’ Need To Do More To Curb Illegal Online Opioid Sales
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb plans to host a summit with tech CEOs and others in the industry to discuss solutions, like altering search algorithms and posting information about the fatal risks associated with the illegal drugs.
The Washington Post:
FDA Commissioner Calls On Internet Providers To Help Police Opioid Offerings
The head of the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday called on Internet providers to help rid the Web of illegal offers of prescription opioids and illicit drugs such as fentanyl that have contributed to the nation's drug crisis. And on Thursday, the surgeon general is scheduled to recommend that more people keep on hand an antidote for overdoses — the latest examples of public health officials scrambling to respond to the opioid crisis. (Bernstein and Dwoskin, 4/5)
Stat:
Gottlieb: Facebook, Other Tech Firms Must Do More To Stop Illicit Opioid Sales
Gottlieb and other Trump administration officials have long made preventing the sale and importation of illicit fentanyl a focus of their efforts to address the opioid crisis. But the comments thrust Gottlieb into a broader fight that has lately consumed Washington — one that is much more squarely focused on scrutinizing major technology companies and their responsibility for what happens on their platforms. (Mershon and Facher, 4/4)
In other news on the opioid crisis —
The Associated Press:
Surgeon General Urges Americans To Carry Overdose Antidote
The nation's chief doctor wants more Americans to start carrying the overdose antidote naloxone in an effort to combat the nation's opioid crisis. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams is expected to speak on the new public health advisory Thursday morning at the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit in Atlanta. (Rico, 4/5)
The Hill:
Senate Health Committee Releases Draft Of Bipartisan Opioid Bill
Senate Health Committee leaders released Wednesday a bipartisan discussion draft of a bill aimed at combating the opioid epidemic, legislation that's the result of six hearings over the past six months. The panel will hold a hearing next week on the draft aimed at stemming the crisis killing thousands of people each year. It includes measures attempting to make it easier to prescribe smaller packs of opioids for limited durations, spur the development of nonaddictive painkillers and bolster the detection of illegal drugs at the border. (Roubein, 4/4)
Stat:
Is Drug Industry Friend Or Foe? In Addiction Policy Circles, Depends Who You Ask
Increased attention to the epidemic, however, has created an undeniable business opportunity for many drug companies. A spending bill passed earlier this year added $3 billion in funding for initiatives specific to the opioid crisis. Budget caps allow for many more billions to be spent in 2020 — a significant chunk of which is destined to fund medications used to treat opioid use disorder. The bills Nickel testified about before the Energy and Commerce Committee are likely to authorize much of this spending. (Facher, 4/5)
The Associated Press:
Opioid Addiction Costs Employers $2.6B A Year For Care
A new report shows large employers spent $2.6 billion to treat opioid addiction and overdoses in 2016, an eightfold increase since 2004. More than half went to treat employees' children. The analysis released Thursday by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation finds such spending cost companies and workers about $26 per enrollee in 2016. Employers have been limiting insurance coverage of opioids because of concerns about addiction. The report finds spending on opioid prescriptions falling 27 percent from a peak in 2009. (4/5)