Opioids No Better Than Over-the-Counter Pain Meds, Study Finds

LINDSEY TANNER / The Associated Press Mar 6, 2018 A yearlong study—released just as a jump in opioid overdoses is reported—offers rigorous new evidence against using the prescription drugs for chronic pain. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Some Pay More to Buy Prescription Drugs With Insurance Than Without It

Charles Ornstein / ProPublica, and Katie Thomas / The New York Times Dec 11, 2017 As insurers ask consumers to pay a greater share of their drug costs, it may be cheaper to pay cash than use an insurance card. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

How Two Common Medications Became One Specialty Pill Worth $455 Million

By Marshall Allen / ProPublica Jun 27, 2017 Here's another reason Americans pay too much for health care. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Drug Overdose Deaths Surged in 2016, Preliminary Report Shows

Emma Niles / Truthdig Jun 7, 2017 Data compiled by The New York Times suggests 2016 saw the largest annual increase in drug overdose deaths ever recorded in the U.S. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

America’s Other Drug Problem

By Marshall Allen / ProPublica May 2, 2017 Every year nursing homes nationwide flush, burn or throw out tons of valuable prescription medications. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

Big Pharma-Backed Democrats Join GOP to Block Bernie Sanders’ Effort to End Drug Price Gouging

By Lauren McCauley / Common Dreams Jan 13, 2017 Sen. Cory Booker and others drew sharp rebuke from observers who pointed out that many who voted "no" receive substantial contributions from the pharmaceutical industry. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Opioid

Signe Wilkinson / Truthdig Dec 14, 2016 Dig deeper

What’s Being Done to Curb the Overdose Death Toll From Opioids?

Staff / Truthdig May 15, 2016 In 2014 alone, 28,000 people died of opioid overdoses, more than half from prescription drugs. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Commercially Driven Spike in Drug Shortages Endangers Lives

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2016 Emergency room doctors are reaching for medicines that aren’t there after drug shortages jumped more than fivefold between 2008 and 2014. And experts say drug companies are to blame. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Heroin Crisis Rears Its Head as a Presidential Campaign Issue

Staff / Truthdig Oct 10, 2015 With New Hampshire battling record overdose deaths, the sense has emerged that candidates who are not prepared to discuss the matter may as well skip the state's primary. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The 9 Most Expensive Medicines in the World—Courtesy of Big Pharma

By Larry Schwartz, AlterNet Sep 30, 2015 Many of these drugs cost more than a house. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Bernie Sanders: Stop Soaring Drug Prices

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Sep 14, 2015 Earlier this month, the Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate said he would introduce legislation to halt skyrocketing pharmaceutical prices, which the industry raised 12.6 percent last year. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )