Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Lawmakers: Immediate Investigation Into Purdue Pharma's Opioid Practices Necessary
Los Angeles Times: California Representatives Call For Congressional Investigation Into Purdue Pharma And Other Opioid Makers
Two California representatives called Monday for a congressional investigation of opioid manufacturers, citing a Los Angeles Times investigation that found that the maker of OxyContin collected extensive evidence of criminal trafficking of its drug but in many cases did not alert law enforcement. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) and Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), both members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said in a letter to the committee chairs that an immediate investigation was necessary “to fully understand the implications and consequences of pharmaceutical companies that do not fulfill their legal and ethical requirements to restrict the sale of opioids in circumstances that raise suspicion regarding inappropriate prescribing practices.” (Ryan, 8/29)
In other news on the opioid crisis —
The Associated Press: Unprecedented Overdose Spike Slows In Cincinnati
An unprecedented spike of drug overdoses in the Cincinnati area seem to be leveling off, although are still at higher than normal levels, after a stunning wave last week, authorities said. Newtown Police Chief Thomas Synan, who heads the Hamilton County Drug Coalition task force, said reports show heroin overdoses dropped to 10 to 15 a day over the weekend. Just Friday, emergency rooms reported 174 overdose cases over six days, for an average of 29 per day, although Synan said some likely were not from heroin. But he said 20 to 25 overdoses in a week would be more typical. (Sewell, 8/29)
Chicago Tribune: Families Important Factor In Addressing Drug Abuse, Local Leaders Say
Tere's a belief that most teens are introduced to drugs at large, risque parties, but that's just not true, Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds said. ... Reynolds and other leaders from Lake and Porter counties urged the task force to consider how big of a role family dynamics play in the heroin problem in Northwest Indiana and the opioid epidemic across the state. While treatment is vital to combating this problem, the leaders said, it cannot be completely effective without prevention and education that addresses what led to the addiction. (Jacobs, 8/29)
WBUR: U.S. Surgeon General Urges Clinicians To Curb Use Of Opioid Painkillers
More than two million health care practitioners in Massachusetts and across the country will get a letter in the next few days from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. In the letter, Murthy is asking practitioners to help curb the widening crisis of opioid abuse — he says clinicians are crucial in this fight. Monday afternoon, WBUR's All Things Considered spoke with Murthy who said other countries also have problems with abuse — but it's worse in America. (Mullins, 8/29)
