Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Public Blame Toward Those Who Abuse Opioids Persists In Tandem With Anger At Drugmakers
The Associated Press: AP-NORC Poll: Many Blame Drug Firms For Opioid Crisis
About two-thirds of Americans believe drug companies are to blame for the opioid crisis, although nearly as many hold drug users themselves responsible, a new poll finds. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showed many people also fault doctors who prescribed opioid pain pills and government officials who haven't done enough to expand addiction treatment and arrest drug dealers. (4/25)
The Associated Press: Arkansas Sues 3 Drug Distributors Over Opioid Crisis
Arkansas' attorney general on Thursday sued three drug distributors for their alleged role in the opioid crisis, claiming the companies failed to monitor and report suspicious shipments of opioids into the state. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed the lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court against Cardinal Health, McKesson Corporation and AmerisourceBergen. The lawsuit claims the companies' conduct has cost consumers and the state millions of dollars in payments for opioid orders that were illegal, misrepresented, unfair or harmful to consumers. (4/25)
