And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda, however, actually calls for a week off. And so, we plan to escort Mrs. Pharmalot and our shortest person on a round of adventures involving long-lost people, notable sites, and a dab of culture. And what about you? This is, of course, a wonderful time for a getaway if you have not already indulged. Or you may want to consider an excursion — beaches, lakes, and mountains are beckoning. Big cities often are more manageable as the natives escape for a spell, too. This is also an opportunity to check if your security clearance is still active. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon (although a colleague will fill in, so your morning tidbits will continue to arrive next week).
The Trump administration proposed that U.S. drug makers cut production quotas of the six most abused opioids by 10 percent next year to fight a nationwide addiction crisis, Reuters explains. The Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration say the proposed cut would be in keeping with President Trump’s effort to cut opioid prescription refills by one-third within three years. They plan to cut production quotas for oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, morphine, and fentanyl by 7 percent to 15 percent, depending on the compound, in 2019.
President Trump is asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to file a federal lawsuit against certain companies that supply and manufacture opioids, the Associated Press reports. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump said he’s directing Sessions to file a separate lawsuit, rather than join existing lawsuits filed by states affected by the spread of the often-lethal, highly addictive drugs. Trump is asking Sessions to look out for opioids coming into the U.S. from China and Mexico, saying those countries are “sending their garbage and killing our people.”
About the Author Reprints
Has anyone in government noticed that restrictions on the manufacturing of opioid medications and on the dispensing of prescriptions has not prevented overdoses? If it was not sufficiently obvious initially that such restrictions would not affect overdoses, by now it certainly has become entirely clear; over the past decade, the number of prescriptions have fallen dramatically, while overdoses hare continued to increase. The population at risk of overdosing (late adolescent to young adult males) differs markedly from that which typically begins pain medications (aging women), and overdoses are fueld by heroin and illegally manufactured fentanyl, not prescription medications. These facts have become well known, and they weigh against continuing to enact the futile regulations that have been enforced by many states and that are apparently about to be enacted federally. After several years of silence, it is It is also becoming recognized that pain patients have been suffering as a result of such regulations that deprive them of what is often the only way they can lead productive and tolerable lives. It is mysterious that pharmaceutical companies have largely stood by and appeared to accept blame for the overdose problem that is clearly not due to prescription medications. Government entities should provide addiction treatment that is actually effective (e.g., medication assisted interventions), and they should repeal regulations of medical practice that are harming patients without benefits for individuals who are at risk of overdosing.
WHY WON’T ANYONE LISTEN TO US. MY PAIN IS LITERALLY KILLING ME. I HAVE BEEN ON SAME REGIMEN 20+ YEARS NOW CUT 75% AND COUNTING….I AM DYING!!!
This supposed “opioid crisis” is nothing more than a way to get big $$$$$ out of pharma. etc. I say, where was the DEA When tons of pill mills were going up.
At any rate those places have been gone…the RX’s are decreasing and the overdoses are climbing.
Leave doctors and patients Alone. We’ve jumped through hoops for years to get what we needed….now we get little to nothing. You are killing the innocent legitimate pain patients.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I can’t take this crazy government!!!!!!!!!!!