Doctor Suspected of Causing More Than Two Dozen Patient Deaths
Mount Carmel Hospital System physician, Dr. William Husel, is accused of prescribing high levels of pain medications that led to the deaths of 28 patients.
Drugs & Medical Devices
Government Goes After Insys Executives Using RICO
The federal government uses the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), approved in 1970, to go after Insys executives, claiming they engaged in a racketeering conspiracy scheme to realize revenues from Subsys sales.
Cancer Treatment Protocol May Change Due to Opioid Epidemic
Prescription opioids have been identified as significant contributors to the overdose epidemic. There may be a need for new alternatives for cancer treatment.
Drug Advertising is At an All-time High, According to Study
New study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association states drug advertising has skyrocketed across all mediums over the years.
Trump’s Proposal Will Make Generic Drugs More Expensive
The Trump administration is proposing changes to insurance that may increase the out-of-pocket cost of some brand-name drugs. This would mean that patients who are unwilling to opt for generics will pay more for their prescriptions.
Sedatives and Opioids an Especially Deadly Combination
More and more Americans are ingesting a deadly combination of both sedatives and opioids. Canadian researchers analyzed data from eight U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles between 1999 and 2014 and discovered the combined use of both opioids and benzodiazepines increased 250 percent during this period, while the combined use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs rose a shocking 850 percent.
Blood Pressure Drug Recalls Reveal Global Manufacturing Problems
The recall of three popular blood pressure drugs has lead to a look at overseas manufacturing issues.
Family Fosters and Adopts Children Born to Opioid-Addicted Mothers
Babies are being born to opioid-addicted mothers at alarming rates. One Massachusetts family is doing their part to help by fostering these children, and even adopting a few. They hope to inspire more families to do the same.
Popular Drugstores are Added to New York City’s Opioid Lawsuit
New York City has added the CVS, Walmart, Walgreens and Rite Aid as defendants in its lawsuit previously filed. Besides Purdue Pharma LP, the list of defendants named in NYC’s suit includes long-time opioid manufacturers Allergan Plc, Endo International Plc, Johnson & Johnson, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and distributors AmerisourceBergen Corp, Cardinal Health Inc and McKesson Corp. The City is seeking $500 million.
Tackling the Opioid Crisis: Industry Improvements Needed
As the opioid crisis worsens, safety measures to help avoid over-prescribing are necessary. PDMPs and pharmacist/physician education are two means of tackling the issue.