https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/13/us-drug-companies-accused-cheerleaders-opioids
The five biggest companies making prescription opioids have been accused by a US Senate committee of spending $10m on patient advocacy and medical groups to encourage use of the addictive drugs, which are at the root of a public health crisis in America.
The committee reported on Monday that Purdue Pharma, manufacturer of leading narcotic painkiller OxyContin, made the largest donations to outside groups that present themselves as advocates for people suffering from chronic pain.
“In some instances they are merely fronting for these manufacturers, especially if you look at the lobbying they’ve done against restricting opioids,” said McCaskill, adding: “These financial relationships were insidious, lacked transparency, and are one of many factors that have resulted in arguably the most deadly drug epidemic in American history.”
The committee, which has been investigating Big Pharma practices from 2012 to 2017, said Purdue Pharma gave the most money, $4.15m to 12 groups. Purdue said in a statement that it supported organisations interested in helping patients receive appropriate care.
The report notes that organizations such as the American Academy of Pain Medicine play down the risks of addiction and abuse. The report names Purdue Pharma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Mylan, Depomed and Insys Therapeutics.
McCaskill launched the investigation last spring by saying: “We want to get to the bottom of why, all of a sudden, opioids have been handed out like candy in this country.”
Another congressional attorney that was in law school during the 70’s… as the DEA/war on drugs was ramping up… Criticizing that Purdue pharma gave about 1/3 million dollars to 12 different pro-patient chronic pain groups.. This is just one of the 535 members of Congress who the lobbyist industry spends 9+million/day to influence these members of Congress…
Congresswoman Mc Caskill won’t have to run for re-election until 2022… voters have short memories so she has plenty of time for voters to forget what Mc Caskill has investigated or voted for.
Filed under: General Problems
I sure wish i could just make a deal with a drug company cutout the middleman those that need them cant get them those that get them die I’m going to say it real clear those that take drugs and die either did so intentionally due to long-term pain and suffering or they were trying to get high. In either case they died on their own terms. I think they’re gonna be even be more deaths from people like me nobody wants to treat pain. It sucks needing to be treated for pain. I would much rather have perfect health than a lifetime of pain. Let me have perfect health if i cant get that then give me a way to temporarily escape. Or shoot me.
Ohhh ok,,then I guess since Morphine has been here since there have been lawyers also,,,,why,,,did they not sue in the 1800 for morphine addiction??if it is sooooo bullshit addictive?? why now,,,,why not back then?BECAUSE IT ALLLLLL 1 BIG LIE PEOPLE,,,, these corrupted lawyers as always are in it for the $$$$ dah,,,,not the truth,,,,,for if the truth was allowed ,,,they’d loose!!!!AS THEY SHOULD!!!!mary