opioids Archives

Life

Lifesaving opioid addiction meds rarely started after emergency visits

University of Michigan researchers analyzed Medicaid claims from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., between 2016-2020.

Dr. Tim SandleMay 7, 2025

Pharmaceutical companies and distributors have agreed to pay $590 million to settle litigation related to opioid addiction in the Native American population

Life

Opioid deaths in US hit record numbers

The opioid epidemic costs the U.S. over $1.5 trillion annually, overloading hospitals, public health systems, and law enforcement.

Dr. Tim SandleFebruary 12, 2025

Purdue Pharma's OxyContin, one of the main prescription opioids that stoked the US addiction and overdose epidemic beginning in the early 2000s

World

Sacklers, Purdue to pay $7.4 bn over opioid crisis: NY state

Several US states have reached a $7.4 billion settlement with the Sackler family and their pharmaceutical company Purdue over the opioid crisis that has ravaged...

AFPJanuary 23, 2025

Purdue Pharma, maker of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin, have offered to pay up to $6 billion to victims of the US opioid crisis to settle an avalanche of litigation, according to a report by a federal mediator

World

US Supreme Court rejects opioid settlement that shields Sackler family

The US Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Purdue Pharma’s $6 billion opioids settlement immunizing the Sackler family, which controlled the drugmaker, from future litigation....

AFPJune 27, 2024

Relatives of victims of opioid abuse directly confronted members of the Sackler family at an unusual court hearing

Life

USA’s big problem: The worst States for drug abuse revealed

West Virginia has 90.9 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 residents.

Dr. Tim SandleMay 19, 2024

This handout photo from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) shows 40 mg pills of OxyContin

Business

Publicis settles opioid case with US states for $350 mn

Publicis Health will pay $350 million to settle charges from US states that its “predatory and deceptive marketing strategies” worsened the opioid epidemic, New...

AFPFebruary 1, 2024