Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Under Fire For Alleged Role It Played In Opioid Crisis, Purdue Tries To Change The Narrative
Stat: Purdue, Maker Of OxyContin, Begins Major Ad Campaign To Counter Critics
Facing a barrage of lawsuits for its alleged role in seeding the opioid crisis, Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, is countering with a public outreach campaign meant to show it is doing its part to stem the epidemic. The company last week launched an advertising campaign in national newspapers, Washington publications, and local papers in its home state of Connecticut. In a statement, Purdue said the ads were part of a broader “long-term initiative,” but declined to provide details about what else would be included beyond the advertisements. (Joseph, 12/22)
Pioneer Press: Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe Sues Drug Companies Over Opioids
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a group of opioid manufacturers and distributors, alleging that the companies are responsible for high levels of addiction and overdose deaths on the reservation. A suit names 23 defendants including manufacturers Purdue Pharma Inc., Cephalon Inc., and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as well as distributors The McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health, Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. (Pastoor, 12/21)
Atlanta Journal Constitution: DeKalb County Sues Opioid Makers Over Costs Of Addiction, Deaths
DeKalb County on Wednesday filed suit against opioid manufacturers, distributors and others who allegedly helped mislead the public about the dangers of the drugs. Deaths from opioids have skyrocketed in the county, as they have across Georgia. From 1999 to 2013, deaths in the state tripled. (Sharpe, 12/21)
In other news on the epidemic —
New Hampshire Public Radio: N.H. Has Third Highest Drug Overdose Death Rate In The U.S.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows that New Hampshire had one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the country last year. The state saw an overdose death rate of 39 people per 100,000 in 2016. That’s up from 34 people per 100,000 the previous year. (Sutherland, 12/21)
Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio's Overdose Deaths Soar Again, As State Ranks 2nd Worst In US
Overdose deaths are accelerating in the nation, and Ohio is ahead of the curve. Not only did the state rank 2nd in the number of such deaths in 2016 behind only West Virginia, the deadly trend is continuing and possibly accelerating in 2017, early reports show. (DeMio, 12/21)
