More and more Americans are ingesting a deadly combination of both sedatives and opioids. Canadian researchers analyzed data from eight U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles between 1999 and 2014 and discovered the combined use of both opioids and benzodiazepines increased 250 percent during this period, while the combined use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs rose a shocking 850 percent.
The recall of three popular blood pressure drugs has lead to a look at overseas manufacturing issues.
Babies are being born to opioid-addicted mothers at alarming rates. One Massachusetts family is doing their part to help by fostering these children, and even adopting a few. They hope to inspire more families to do the same.
New York City has added the CVS, Walmart, Walgreens and Rite Aid as defendants in its lawsuit previously filed. Besides Purdue Pharma LP, the list of defendants named in NYC’s suit includes long-time opioid manufacturers Allergan Plc, Endo International Plc, Johnson & Johnson, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and distributors AmerisourceBergen Corp, Cardinal Health Inc and McKesson Corp. The City is seeking $500 million.
As the opioid crisis worsens, safety measures to help avoid over-prescribing are necessary. PDMPs and pharmacist/physician education are two means of tackling the issue.
Massachusetts’ lawsuit, originally filed in June in Suffolk County Superior Court, was the first by a state to pursue Purdue’s Sackler family directly and hold them personally responsible for contributing to the opioid epidemic.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Congress, and the White House have long faced significant obstacles regulating pharmaceutical drugs. Because of this, policymakers are reluctant to regulate legal drugs and primarily target the illegal drug market instead.
Wisconsin Continues to Use MAT in ERs to Help Addicts
A new trend has emerged. Drug companies are filing motions for gag orders and sanctions against plaintiffs amid ongoing litigation.
The federal government is requiring hospitals across the nation to post their standard prices on their websites starting this year. Consumer advocates and industry experts say this is a step in the right direction, but the lists are still confusing to patients.