In Midst Of Opioid Crisis, Quietly Passed Law Relaxes Rules For Drug Companies
Critics of the legislation say it takes pressure off companies to detect and report drugs flowing to the black market.
Los Angeles Times:
Amid Opioid Epidemic, Rules For Drug Companies Are Loosened
When it comes to combating the nation’s opioid epidemic, politicians of all stripes say they are fully committed. President Obama wants to spend a billion dollars on new treatment programs. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump talk about the ravages of addiction and the need for solutions. And Congress earlier this month passed a package of legislation to prevent overdoses, bolster law enforcement and improve recovery programs. But this spring, with little attention and virtually no public opposition, lawmakers approved and the president signed a new law that makes it more difficult for government to take action against a key player in the crisis: the pharmaceutical industry. (Ryan and Christensen, 7/27)
In other news about the epidemic —
The Fresno Bee:
Fresno Doctor Warns New Fake Norco Drug Can Be Deadly
A dangerous new street drug that combines fentanyl and a new synthetic opioid is masquerading as street “Norco” and is being sold in Central California, a Fresno doctor says. Dr. Patil Armenian said the street drug is almost indistinguishable from brand-name Norco but is much stronger and can be deadly. Armenian, a medical toxicologist and emergency physician at Community Regional Medical Center, said a recent case is the first overdose in Fresno caused by fentanyl and a nonfentanyl-based synthetic opioid known as U-47700. (Anderson, 7/27)