Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
NFL Teams Face Federal Drug Inspections
The Washington Post: Federal Drug Agents Launch Surprise Inspections Of NFL Teams Following Games
Federal drug agents conducted surprise inspections of National Football League team medical staffs on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation into prescription drug abuse in the league. The inspections, which entailed bag searches and questioning of team doctors by Drug Enforcement Administration agents, were based on the suspicion that NFL teams dispense drugs illegally to keep players on the field in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, according to a senior law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation. (Jenkins and Maese, 11/16)
The New York Times: Federal Investigation Into Painkillers Targets N.F.L. Teams’ Medical Staffs
Federal drug enforcement agents questioned medical-staff members from the San Francisco 49ers and several other teams on Sunday as part of a continuing investigation into the distribution of painkillers in the N.F.L. The unannounced visits by the Drug Enforcement Administration were spurred, in part, by reports of widespread abuse of painkillers that were included in a class-action lawsuit against the N.F.L. (Belson, 11/16)
Los Angeles Times: DEA Agents Conduct Checks On NFL Teams' Medical Staffs
Federal drug agents surprised at least two NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, on Sunday by showing up to check on their doctors while a growing class-action lawsuit by former players alleges that the league illegally handed out painkillers and other prescription pills. The Drug Enforcement Administration checked the 49ers' medical staff at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., after the team played the New York Giants, the team confirmed. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers said their staff was checked at Baltimore-Washington International airport after a game against the Redskins. News outlets have also reported that agents visited the Seattle Seahawks as well. (Raab and Farmer, 11/16)
