Current Events
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine prides itself on “Connecting the Best Minds in Science and Patient Care.” For several years, it has put ever more muscle behind that statement in offering a new focus of study. To this end, medical students started taking a required mini-course that addresses an intense patient care need. What’s it […]
Opioid Epidemic Cost the Economy 2.5 Trillion Dollars It’s a well-known fact just how much the opioid epidemic has cost us in human life. In just over 20 years, over 700,000 people have died of a drug overdose in the United States. Well over half of these deaths were the result of opioids. Last year […]
As legal cannabis becomes more common, studies are beginning to emerge regarding the safety of taking the substance. One recent study at an Italian university has shown that cannabis products may not be safe for pregnant woman. Their study found that cannabis may alter the brain chemistry of developing embryos, raising the question: is it […]
It’s no secret that alcohol manufacturers are reliant on people drinking to keep the lights on. As more and more people become aware of the harmful effects alcohol has on the body, there have been calls for alcohol firms to do more to promote moderation. These alcohol firms have acknowledged these calls and begun promoting […]
A pattern is emerging as more cases against opioid drug manufacturers and distributors are set to head to trial; settlements are being reached at the last minute. The most recent settlement was reached hours before an anticipated trial was to begin in Cleveland. Pharma Settles Landmark Opioid Case The case that was set to commence […]
“Meth makes you a monster. I’m not going to sugar coat it.” These are the thoughts of someone who knows. A former meth addict, the woman behind these words fought her way to recovery and to tell her story. In this sense, she is one of the lucky ones. She managed to break free from […]
A judge has recently ruled Philadelphia’s first safe injection site to be legal. The decision is the first of its kind and will likely spark conflict with the Justice Department. Safe injection sites remain illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, and the Justice Department is already set to appeal the ruling. Just what is going […]
With a trial looming, Big Pharma companies are seeking the removal of Judge Dan Polster. Set to oversee the landmark trial over Big Pharma’s role in fueling the opioid epidemic, the defendant drug companies alleged that Polster’s “unusual level of commitment” to reaching a settlement was affecting his decision making. Polster is likely to deny […]
Is the opioid epidemic that is ravaging the United States going global? The epidemic has the potential to spread overseas to countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. Early research suggests these countries may be at particular risk due to an increasing number of opioid prescriptions. Yet, preliminary observations suggest that the United […]
It’s official: Purdue Pharma, makers of the notorious opioid OxyContin, filed for bankruptcy this past Sunday. The filing comes as part of an ongoing legal battle for the Connecticut-based drug manufacturer. Just days prior, Purdue reached a tentative deal to settle thousands of lawsuits brought by states, counties, cities, Native American tribes, and other plaintiffs. […]
Fentanyl; the word alone has an ominous ring to it. What was once an obscure synthetic opioid, reserved almost exclusively for late-stage cancer patients in extreme pain, has become synonymous with the opioid epidemic. The drug, between 50 and 100 times more powerful than morphine, is fueling overdoses in the United States. How did this […]
Why hasn’t the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) been taking a greater role in resolving the opioid epidemic? Judging by a recent article on The Washington Post, it’s not for lack of trying. Instead, it appears the DEA has fallen victim to regulative restriction funded by and designed to protect opioid distributors and manufacturers. Early Warning […]
