Arkansas is bringing suit against big pharma for misleading consumers regarding their opioids. The value being pursued is to be determined, but will be put towards mental health clinics, drug courts, treatment centers and other forms of treatment. Pharmaceutical companies responded by saying they realize the opioid crisis and are working towards a solution while not speaking to their part in the crisis. The big question surround this legal bringing is whether tax payers of the big pharmaceutical companies should bear the cost of the opioid epidemic.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/30/health/arkansas-opioid-lawsuit/index.html
Should pharmaceutical companies be held responsible for the opioid epidemic and the costs? Can the blame be placed solely on big pharma or is this just pointing a finger at someone in hopes of finding a solution?
With all the money big Pharma has made from opioids, one would think that they are more than capable of helping with the problem. Although they are in part to blame, I do not believe it is solely their fault. It would be nice if collectively everyone was on the same page and could work together to solve the issue rather than looking for someone to point the finger at.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I would like to see some accountability, but it is more important that we see proactive change.
DeleteI also agree. Big Pharma needs to be a big part of the solution if we are to combat this opioid crisis. Whether they are directly or indirectly to blame, they are a big part of the current problem.
DeleteBig Pharma is the main dealer; so they should be held accountable and I do think they are the main reason why the Opioid epidemics is because of them. As the link below shows (https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnlamattina/2015/07/01/big-pharma-continues-to-funnel-billions-to-doctors-how-inappropriate-is-this/#61791ef4194d), Big Pharma pays billions to doctors so that they prescribe pain killers that then become unaffordable, so patients have to turn to substitutes such as Heroin.
ReplyDeleteWow! I was unaware of just how much money Big Pharma was funneling to doctors just to prescribe their drugs. I knew it was a lot, but a billion is unbelievable.
DeleteI agree, Guillermo. BIg pharma continues to push their drugs, simply for profit. Increased government regulation has resulted in longer, more expensive product development, and these drug companies continually try to stimulate demand to compensate for their time, effort, and wallets.
ReplyDelete