opioid prescriptions News

Drug Retailer Rite Aid Prepares to File for Bankruptcy Over Opioid Lawsuits: WSJ

Rite Aid Corp. is preparing to file for bankruptcy in coming weeks to address lawsuits the drugstore chain is facing over its alleged role in the sale of opioids, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with …

U.S. Supreme Court Mulls ‘Pill Mill’ Doctors’ Opioid Convictions

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday wrestled with the circumstances under which doctors can be convicted of operating as drug dealers under the cover of their medical practices to illegally distribute opioid painkillers and other dangerous narcotics. The justices heard …

Opioid Scripts Decreased But Fatal Overdoses Increased. Doctors Urge New Approach.

Doctors with the American Society of Anesthesiologists are calling for a new approach to fighting the opioid crisis, one that goes beyond current efforts at restricting opioid prescribing to reducing demand and addressing the “illicit” opioids in medicine cabinets. To …

As Doctors Prescribe Fewer Opioids for Injured Workers, What Do They Offer Instead?

The good news is that doctors are less likely to prescribe opioids to injured workers than they were years ago. They have come to recognize that the pain medications have been overprescribed, causing addictions and deaths including suicides. The bad …

Doctors Not to Blame for All Opioid Misuse; Friends, Family Also Played Roles

In a common narrative of the path to opioid misuse, people become addicted to painkillers after a doctor prescribed them pills to treat an injury and then, later, switch to harder drugs, such as heroin. However, non-medical opioid users were …

Different Rates of Opioid Prescriptions Linked to Worker, Employer, Injury Traits

Injured workers in mining and construction, those in rural counties or those who suffer fractures, carpal tunnel and neurologic spine pain are among those more likely to receive prescriptions for opioids than workers in other industries or locations or with …

Drugs in Workforce at Highest in Decade But Opiates Decline: Quest Diagnostics

Drug use by the American workforce remains at its highest rate in more than a decade, driven by increases in cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. However, prescription opiate positivity rates have declined. Nationally, the positivity rate for the combined U.S. workforce …

West Virginia Settles With Pharmacy Accused of Providing 10M Painkillers

A pharmacy accused of dispensing millions of prescription pain pills in West Virginia has agreed to a $550,000 settlement with the state. In a news release, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says the settlement of a lawsuit involving Larry’s Drive-In Pharmacy …

West Virginia Gov Signs Bill Limiting Opioid Prescriptions

West Virginia’s governor has signed legislation to limit opioid prescriptions that doctors can prescribe to treat acute pain. Gov. Jim Justice signed the bill last week that would limit such prescriptions to supplies lasting three, four or seven days, depending …

Working with Physicians, Cigna Cuts Prescription Opioid Use by 25%

Health insurer Cigna said it has achieved a 25 percent reduction in opioid use among its customers as a result of a partnership with more than 1.1 million prescribing physicians. The company said it reached this key metric one year …