[Pharmwaste] Economists testify today: what drives the drug crisis

[Ed Gottlieb]

There are many fronts in the fight to control the opioid epidemic.
One of the pillars in this fight is controlling the supply of opioids.
Tools that are used to control supply include:
Prescribing guidelines;
Prescription drug database sharing;
Going after cartels, smugglers, and dealers; and
Take back programs.

To this list we should add:  preventing pharmaceutical manufactures from marketing their drugs in misleading ways, pushing a greater supply into our homes.

>From STAT: Morning Rounds  http://mailchi.mp/statnews/2o7pujlkwm?e=61b58803fc

What's driving the drug crisis, according to economists
Economic experts are testifying today about the supply and demand system that’s continuing to fuel the opioid crisis. The hearing before Congress's Joint Economic Committee will be focusing on the business of prescription painkillers, heroin hauled in from Mexico, and fentanyl that makes its way to the U.S. from China. One of those testifying is Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, who last week sued several major pharmaceutical companies over their role in the opioid epidemic in Ohio. The state is accusing drug makers of marketing the drugs in a way that misled doctors and patients about the risk of addiction.

Ed Gottlieb
Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal
Board Member, New York Product Stewardship Council
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
525 3rd Street
Ithaca, NY  14850
(607) 273-8381
fax: (607) 273-8433
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