“The FDA has a lack of transparency. They use the advisory committees as cover,” said the head of the FDA’s opioid advisory council. A Food and Drug Administration adviser says that the agency is putting the needs of pharmaceutical companies above the public by continuing to approve dangerous pain medications. Speaking with The Guardian, Dr.… Continue reading FDA Has "Cozy Relationship" With Pharmaceutical Companies, Says Adviser
Tag: opioid epidemic
Opioid Use May Be Tied To Intestinal Disorder In Newborns
A new report explores the connection between opioid use and the intestinal birth defect. Infants whose mothers use opioids during pregnancy are at risk for a host of issues from small head size to dependency on the drugs. Now, a new report suggests an additional health concern for babies exposed to opioids: a possible increased… Continue reading Opioid Use May Be Tied To Intestinal Disorder In Newborns
How Big Pharma's Payments To Doctors Affected Overdose Deaths
A new study examined the link between large payments and gifts to doctors from pharma companies and overdose deaths. In counties and states where opioid manufacturers offered large payments or gifts to doctors to promote their product, a new study has suggested that both opioid prescriptions and opioid-related overdose deaths were higher than in other… Continue reading How Big Pharma's Payments To Doctors Affected Overdose Deaths
Inside The Push For Over-The-Counter Naloxone
The FDA has recently taken an unprecedented step to kickstart the development of over-the-counter naloxone products. Last week the FDA took an unprecedented step to make the anti-overdose drug naloxone directly available to opioid users. Currently, naloxone requires a prescription. But in an effort to make approval for non-prescription versions of the drug easier for… Continue reading Inside The Push For Over-The-Counter Naloxone
How Opioids Hijack The Brain
Addiction experts and people who use opioids discuss how opioids impact their brains. Last year thousands of Americans died from opioid overdoses. Yet, despite the fact that the dangers of these drugs are well-publicized, new users continue to get hooked on opioids and succumb to their addictions. To try to understand why, The New York… Continue reading How Opioids Hijack The Brain
Mass Overdose In California Leaves One Dead, 12 Hospitalized
“Every indication is that this mass overdose incident was caused from the ingestion of some form of fentanyl in combination with another substance,” said a police chief at the scene. The synthetic opioid fentanyl is most likely responsible for a cluster of overdoses in one Chico, California house. One person died after overdosing and four… Continue reading Mass Overdose In California Leaves One Dead, 12 Hospitalized
Opioid Overdose Deaths Surpass Vehicle Crash Deaths For First Time
According to a new report from the National Safety Council, Americans are more likely to die from an opioid overdoses than a car crash. An opioid overdose is now a more likely cause of death than even vehicle crashes, according to a recent report. The report on preventable deaths from the National Safety Council found… Continue reading Opioid Overdose Deaths Surpass Vehicle Crash Deaths For First Time
What Does 2019 Hold For Opioid Lawsuits?
Many are looking at the settlements with Big Tobacco to see how the opioid settlements—if there are any—might take shape. During 2018, as opioid overdose rates continued to soar, municipalities from around the country vowed to hold drug manufacturers and distributors accountable. This year, 2019, will show how many of the lawsuits around the opioid… Continue reading What Does 2019 Hold For Opioid Lawsuits?
Maine's First Female Governor Targets Opioids
Governor Janet Mills is making the opioid epidemic in her state her top priority. Democratic Governor Janet Mills is making the opioid crisis in her state her top priority. Going the complete opposite direction of her predecessor, she has expanded Medicaid and made plans to appoint an opioid czar in her first days in office.… Continue reading Maine's First Female Governor Targets Opioids
Grant Provides Medication-Assisted Treatment To Inmates Leaving Jail
Inmates in the treatment program also leave jail with counseling appointments in place and other sobriety supports. The Wisconsin legislature is giving out $1.3 million in grant money that counties around the state will use to provide medication-assisted treatment for inmates who are leaving jails. The grants, administered through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services,… Continue reading Grant Provides Medication-Assisted Treatment To Inmates Leaving Jail