N.H. Attorney General Accuses Purdue Pharma Of Stonewalling OxyContin Probe
In its refusal to comply with a New Hampshire subpoena, Purdue cites objections to the state’s use of a private law firm in an ongoing investigation of the company and other opioid makers. In other news, a recent heroin deaths spike in several states leaves officials scrambling.
Los Angeles Times:
Purdue Pharma Rejects Request From New Hampshire Attorney General For Information On Suspected Diversion Of OxyContin
The top law enforcement official in New Hampshire, a state ravaged by the opioid epidemic, accused the manufacturer of OxyContin on Friday of stonewalling demands for information the company collects about suspected criminal trafficking of its painkiller. “They are just refusing to turn over documents,” state Atty. Gen. Joseph Foster said of drugmaker Purdue Pharma in an interview. “On one hand, they tell us they have nothing to hide and they are doing everything appropriately, but then why are they fighting so hard not to turn over this information?” (Ryan, 8/26)
The Associated Press:
Dozens Treated As Heroin Overdose Spikes Hit Several States
Officials in several states are scrambling to deal with a series of heroin overdose outbreaks affecting dozens of people and involving at least six deaths. The spikes in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia over the past few days have seen rescue workers rushing from scene to scene to provide overdose antidote drugs. While it's unclear if one dealer or batch is responsible for the multistate outbreak, the spikes reflect the potency of heroin flooding the Midwest. (8/26)
Cincinnati Enquirer:
NKY Sees OD Spike Not As Severe As Cincinnati's
Northern Kentucky is seeing a surge in overdoses that is similar, but not nearly as great, as the barrage seen in Cincinnati this week. Cincinnati and Hamilton County endured an estimated 174 overdoses and three deaths in six days beginning Aug. 19. Northern Kentucky's St. Elizabeth Healthcare hospitals remained on alert, said aid Ashel Kruetzkamp, nurse manager for St. Elizabeth Healthcare Emergency Department. (DeMio, 8/26)
Cincinnati Enquirer:
OD Crisis: Flying Blind In Search Of Killer Heroin's Source
An overdose crisis in Cincinnati for the past six days has left police and emergency responders drained, and for now, without clues. It has also underscored that the region does not have the resources to treat all of the addicted. Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the source of purported heroin sold to people in Cincinnati, mostly on the West Side, that caused scores of overdoses, including at least three deaths. (DeMio, 8/26)
In other news about the opioid crisis —
St. Louis Post Dispatch:
Rapid Rise In Newborns Dependent On Opioids Has Hospitals Scrambling
The number of babies born dependent on opioids such as prescription painkillers and heroin has increased fivefold since 2000, according to research led by neonatologist Stephen Patrick at Vanderbilt University. In 2012, nearly 28,000 newborns in the U.S. were treated for opioid withdrawal, the study showed. That is one infant every 19 minutes. The babies suffer what is called neonatal abstinence syndrome. They are more likely to be small and have respiratory complications, feeding problems, jaundice and seizures. They may shake, sweat, cry excessively, have diarrhea and be difficult to console. (Munz, 8/27)
St. Louis Public Radio:
Despite New Laws, Access To Overdose Antidote Remains Limited Without A Prescription In Mo. And Ill.
It will likely be months before members of the public can get the opioid overdose antidote naloxone at Missouri pharmacies without a prescription. A new state law expanding access to the live-saving drug went into effect Sunday, but according to Missouri Pharmacy Association CEO Ron Fitzwater the state’s pharmacy board still has to create rules based on the law. (Phillips, 8/29)
