Tag: opioid

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Crisis Global Health Public Health

Opioids given and monitored by the government instead of various clinics?

In City of Vancouver, a pilot program began in providing Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used to manage severe pain (it is about 50-100 times more potent than morphine). Public Health Agency of Canada | Agence de la santé publique du Canada finances the program and it is all legal – with the goal of harm reduction for those in need of the drug. This approach is aimed to reduce deaths and severe illnesses from illicit drugs by making the drugs safer for people who use them.

Last year, over 20+ United States Attorneys’​ Offices reject the current bankruptcy plan offered by Purdue Pharma L.P., who have ongoing claims against them for their role in the opioid epidemic in United States. This addiction crisis in the US has killed more than 450,000 Americans.

Today’s thoughts may be deeply controversial in the United States, but how can we provide harm reduction (ie reduce the overdoses) while at the same time providing quality care for those in need of such potent pain medication?

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Crisis Public Health

Was Justice Served to Purdue Pharma?

Two demonstrators protest against U.S. Judge Robert Drain, who has granted immunity from future opioid lawsuits to members of the Sackler family. Brian Mann

6 months ago – we were discussing the plea deals with U.S. Department of Justice and Purdue Pharma L.P.. (the bankrupt maker of the OxyContin painkiller).

Purdue Pharma admitted twice (in 2007 and 2020) to illegally marketing opioid medications. Bankruptcy judge recently approves Purdue Pharma plan to resolve the opioid claims, in which also gives civil immunity to owners. The civil immunity gives broad protection from current and future litigation, even though there were objections from nine states and a branch of the Justice Department.

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Crisis

OxyContin & Opioid Epidemic in United States

FILE - A Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. A federal bankruptcy judge ruled Tuesday, July 28, 2020 that OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma can't make any more contributions to partisan organizations that seek to boost the election efforts of candidates for state attorney general offices. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

“Right now, millions of people across the country are desperately suffering from opioid addiction. They need help and they need it now”

– Quote from joint statement issued by 20+ US State Attorney Generals

Over 20+ US State Attorney Generals reject the current bankruptcy plan offered by Purdue Pharma, who have ongoing claims against them for their role in the opioid epidemic in United States. Still no admittance from owners of company on wrongdoing, though this addiction crisis has killed more than 450,000 Americans.

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