Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Prince Died Of Accidental Fentanyl Overdose, Medical Examiner Says
USA Today: Prince Died Of 'Fentanyl Toxicity,' An Overdose Of A Painkiller
Prompted by leaks, the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Minnesota released the long-awaited autopsy report on Prince Thursday, declaring the cause was accidental Fentanyl toxicity. Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller. The official cause of death thus bolsters previous reports that Prince died from a opioid overdose, and that investigators were examining how he might have obtained the drug. (Puente, 6/2)
The New York Times: Prince Died From Accidental Overdose Of Opioid Painkiller
Prince, the music icon who struggled with debilitating hip pain during his career, died from an accidental overdose of self-administered fentanyl, a type of synthetic opiate, officials in Minnesota said Thursday. The news ended weeks of speculation about the sudden death of the musician, who had a reputation for clean living but who appears to have developed a dependency on medications to treat his pain. (Eligon and Kovaleski, 6/2)
The Associated Press: Medical Examiner: Prince Died Of Fentanyl Overdose, Accident
It was not immediately clear whether Prince had a prescription for the drug and, if not, how he obtained it. The results raised the possibility that anyone who provided the drug illegally could face criminal charges. After Prince died, authorities began reviewing whether an overdose was to blame and whether he had been prescribed drugs in the preceding weeks. (Tarm and Forliti, 6/2)
ABC News: Prince's Autopsy Result Highlights Dangers Of Opioid Painkiller Fentanyl
News that the death of Prince was found to have been caused by a fentanyl overdose has once drawn attention to the powerful painkiller and the ongoing opioids epidemic. While the resurgence of heroin has gained attention in recent years, the drug fentanyl is a huge concern to health authorities. The drug, which is generally used in a medical setting as a painkiller, is the most potent opioid available for use in medical treatment, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (Mohney, 6/2)
Los Angeles Times: Prince Died From An Overdose Of A Powerful Painkiller, Test Results Show
Reports of Prince’s drug use stunned both his peers and his fans. And now with test results, Prince is arguably the opioid abuse epidemic’s most famous victim, along with actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died in February 2014 after overdosing on heroin and other drugs. (Ng, 6/2)
Star Tribune: Prince Died From Fentanyl Overdose
Sources previously told the Star Tribune that the investigation has focused on Prince’s use of painkillers and how he obtained them. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, similar to morphine, that is administered by injection, lozenge or patch to treat severe pain after surgery and to manage chronic pain. The controlled substance is commonly sold illegally and misused by addicts. (Chanen and Olson, 6/2)
