A landmark settlement in the nation’s opioid epidemic is forcing the owners of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to give up the company and pay out $4.5 billion.
opioids
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
Judge conditionally approves Purdue Pharma opioid settlement
Under the settlement, the Sackler family will give up ownership of the company and contribute $4.5 billion. But the Sacklers will be shielded from any future lawsuits over opioids.
advertisement
Posted inHealth, Maine, Schools and Education
30 Maine school districts join suit against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma
At least 30 Maine school districts have joined a class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma for damages related to the opioid crisis.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
First opioid jury trial marks high-stakes test for drug industry
Analysts predict companies eventually will have to spend tens of billions of dollars combined to resolve thousands of lawsuits over their role in the U.S. opioid epidemic.
Posted inNation & World
Opioids rip through U.S. workforce, with deaths at record level
Opioids are behind about three-fourths of the overdoses, according to Wednesday’s data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Maine, News
Medical cannabis studies ramp up, offering hope to some opioid users
Some researchers believe cannabis can help wean prescription opioid users off the addictive and potentially deadly drugs. Others aren’t so sure.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
Justice Department suing Walmart, alleges company helped fuel opioid crisis
The suit alleges the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Politics
Health groups propose statewide network of ‘low-barrier’ drug treatment clinics
The pilot proposal, which carries a price tag of $920,000, comes at a time when drug overdose deaths appear to be rising again despite efforts to tackle the problem.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
The Maine Millennial: Susan Collins should answer for Big Pharma donations
Maine’s senior senator is among the many lawmakers who have taken campaign cash from the companies that promoted opioid use.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Commentary: Some of us actually need painkillers. Can doctors ease up on us?
In this era of epic prescription-opioid abuse, many physicians seem to view all patients as potential abusers.