Trump Wants To Take Opioid Manufacturers To Court
President Donald Trump signals his desire to join the litigation scrum by asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to file a federal lawsuit against certain pharmaceutical companies involved in the supply and manufacture of opioids. Trump says he prefers pursuing a federal lawsuit rather than joining existing actions filed by states. Meanwhile, Oxycontin-maker Purdue hires a financial firm for restructuring advice, and its marketing practices are back in the news.
Bloomberg:
Trump Says He Wants Federal Lawsuit Against Opioid Makers
President Donald Trump said Thursday he wants the U.S. government to sue pharmaceutical companies that manufacture opioids as part of his efforts to halt an epidemic of drug addiction. Trump said he’d like to bring a federal lawsuit, rather than just join existing litigation against the drugmakers. (Sink and Edney, 8/16)
Reuters:
Exclusive: OxyContin Maker Purdue Taps Financial Restructuring Adviser - Sources
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP has tapped law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP for financial restructuring advice, as its potential liabilities swell with a wave of lawsuits over the opioid addiction epidemic sweeping the United States, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. (DiNapoli and Raymond, 8/16)
California Healthline:
Purdue Pharma’s Sales Pitch Downplayed Risks Of Opioid Addiction
Through a widely circulated brochure and a videotape of testimonials, the maker of OxyContin stressed patients’ right to opioid treatment for pain. (Schulte, 8/17)
And the FDA warns that some pet owners are using their animals to get painkillers —
CNN:
FDA Warns Of Pet Owners Using Animals To Get Opioids
The US Food and Drug Administration has raised alarm about one way people might access opioids to misuse and abuse: their pets. As America's opioid epidemic rages, some pet owners could be stealing pain medications intended for their furry friends, according to a statement from FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. (Howard, 8/16)
More on the numbers behind the national crisis —
Vox:
2017 Was The Worst Year Ever For Drug Overdose Deaths In America
2016 was the worst year for drug overdose deaths in America — at least, until 2017 came along. According to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 72,000 people in the US are predicted to have died from drug overdoses in 2017 — nearly 200 a day. That’s up from 2016, which was already a record year in which roughly 64,000 people in the US died from overdoses. At least two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in 2016 and 2017 were linked to opioids. (Lopez, 8/16)