According to a Congressional Report released by Sen. McCaskill, patient advocacy groups pushed opioids after getting industry money . I’m glad to see that Congress is doing something about the opioid epidemic. Trump may talk about it, but all he’s done is put forth a budget that takes money away for treatment and adds money to policing. Here’s more info on the report:
Patient advocacy groups pushed opioids after getting industry money
First three paragraphs, the whole thing worth a read:
Opioid manufacturers funneled millions of dollars to patient advocacy groups that in turn issued “opioid friendly” guidance and policy recommendations, a congressional report has found.
Five major pharmaceutical manufacturers paid nearly $10 million to 14 patient advocacy groups and medical professional societies — as well as affiliated doctors — who were working on opioid-related issues between 2012 and 2017, according to the report released on Monday by Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee’s top Democrat.
After receiving the donations, these groups and and professional societies minimized the risk of addiction, promoted opioid use, lobbied against legislation that would curb abuse and fought attempts to hold physicians and industry executives responsible for over-prescribing opioids, the report maintains.
McCaskill says her mother was addicted to opioids before she passed away
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2018 · 1:50:18 AM +00:00
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cordgrass
I just want to make clear that this diary is in no way advocating for the prohibition of opiates. The Congressional Report calls out the bad business practice of Big Pharma donating under the table to patient advocacy groups. That’s wrong on both sides. Some commenters disagree and think patient advocacy groups should take Big Pharma’s money. I personally am against that.