Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trump Wants To Take Opioid Manufacturers To Court
The Wall Street Journal: Trump Calls On Justice Department To Sue Opioid Companies
In a cabinet meeting Thursday at the White House, Mr. Trump asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to bring federal lawsuits against certain companies supplying opioids to hospitals, rather than joining state lawsuits. He also charged Mr. Sessions with investigating fentanyl coming from China and Mexico, countries he said were “sending their garbage and killing our people.” “It’s almost a form of warfare,” Mr. Trump said. Mr. Sessions said he would follow Mr. Trump’s request. (Ballhaus, 8/16)
Bloomberg: Trump Says He Wants Federal Lawsuit Against Opioid Makers
President Donald Trump said Thursday he wants the U.S. government to sue pharmaceutical companies that manufacture opioids as part of his efforts to halt an epidemic of drug addiction. Trump said he’d like to bring a federal lawsuit, rather than just join existing litigation against the drugmakers. (Sink and Edney, 8/16)
The Associated Press: Trump Wants Federal Suit Against Opioid Manufacturers
President Donald Trump is asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to file a federal lawsuit against certain companies that supply and manufacture opioids. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump said he’s directing Sessions to file a separate lawsuit, rather than joining existing lawsuits filed by states affected by the spread of the often-lethal, highly-addictive drugs. (Superville, 8/16)
The Hill: Trump Urges Sessions To Bring Federal Suit Against Opioid Makers
President Trump on Thursday urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions to bring a federal lawsuit against drug companies that produce opioids. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, the president also asked his embattled attorney general to look at opioid drugs coming into the country from China and Mexico, saying those countries were “sending their garbage and killing our people.” (Fabian and Weixel, 8/16)
Meanwhile, Purdue Pharma prepares for lawsuit liabilities -
Reuters: Exclusive: OxyContin Maker Purdue Taps Financial Restructuring Adviser - Sources
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP has tapped law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP for financial restructuring advice, as its potential liabilities swell with a wave of lawsuits over the opioid addiction epidemic sweeping the United States, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. (DiNapoli and Raymond, 8/16)
In other administration news -
The Hill: Trump Administration Cracking Down On Production Of Prescription Opioids
The Trump administration is using new powers to propose a significant decrease in how many opioids drug companies can manufacture in the U.S. in 2019. The Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are proposing an average 10 percent decrease next year in the manufacturing quotas for six frequently misused opioids. (Hellmann, 8/16)
