This story, originally published by CNBC, appeared May 29, 2018. Copyright 2018 CNBC. Purdue Pharma, the company that planted the seeds of the opioid epidemic through its aggressive marketing of OxyContin, has long claimed it was unaware of the powerful opioid painkiller’s growing abuse until years after it went on the market. But a copy… [Read More]
Tri-Cities growth stunted by opioid epidemic
This story, originally published by WCYB, appeared May 23, 2018. Copyright 2018 WCYB. Not only is the opioid epidemic destroying families in the Tri-Cities, but it’s also putting a stranglehold on our community’s ability to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment in Kingsport, Bristol, Tenn. and Bristol, Virginia is 3.8 percent, though… [Read More]
Walmart Will Implement New Opioid Prescription Limits By End Of Summer
This story, originally published by NPR, appeared May 8, 2018. Copyright 2018 NPR. Walmart announced Monday it is introducing new restrictions on how it will fill opioid medication prescriptions in all of its in-store and Sam’s Club pharmacies. It is the company’s latest expansion of its Opioid Stewardship Initiative, intended to stem the spread of opioid addiction, prevent… [Read More]
Judge rules Baby Doe case against big pharma can proceed
This story, originally published by WCYB, appeared May 8, 2018. Copyright 2018 WCYB. The lawsuit brought by nine counties in our region claiming drug makers caused the opioid epidemic crossed a big hurdle in court Tuesday in Bristol, Tennessee. A judge is refusing to throw out the so-called Tennessee “Baby Doe” lawsuit. The drug makers named… [Read More]
Judge: Pill Case Will Go Forward
This story, originally published by The Greeneville Sun, appeared May 9, 2018. Copyright 2018 The Greeneville Sun. Second Judicial District Chancellor E.G. Moody issued a ruling Tuesday on multiple motions filed by opioid producers to dismiss a lawsuit against them by district attorneys general in Northeast Tennessee. Moody denied defandants’ motions to dismiss, and ruled… [Read More]
Judge denies dismissal of local opioid lawsuit
This story, originally published by the Kingsport Times-News, appeared May 8, 2018. Copyright 2018 Kingsport Times-News. BRISTOL, Tenn. — A lawsuit Northeast Tennessee prosecutors filed against opioid manufacturers can now move forward, thanks to a Tuesday court ruling. The defendants had sought dismissal of claims leveled in June by district attorneys in Sullivan, Hawkins and… [Read More]