Purdue Pharma files for bankruptcy

Move was expected as part of landmark settlement with many state and local governments of lawsuit over toll opioid crisis has taken on nation

• Sep 16, 2019

Purdue Pharma reaches $270M settlement

Purdue Pharma has reached a settlement with the state of Oklahoma over claims the maker of the painkiller OxyContin helped fuel an opioid epidemic? that killed thousands of residents in the state. The pharmaceutical company, based in Stamford, Connecticut, and owned by the Sackler family, will pay $270 million to resolve the lawsuit, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter said Tuesday.

• Mar 26, 2019
• 00:40

Redacted info in Purdue lawsuit to be released

A Massachusetts judge ordered the release of redacted information in a lawsuit against the maker of the painkiller OxyContin. The state attorney general said many of the redactions pertain to how Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family, who own the drug maker, allegedly helped "engineer an opioid epidemic." Tony Dokoupil reports.

• Jan 29, 2019
• 01:52

Painkillers for pets may be adding to opioid epidemic

First-of-its-kind study looks at risks from the increase in opioid prescriptions for pets

• Jan 11, 2019

"Dopesick": Author reveals impact of painkillers on opioid crisis

Beth Macy writes about the opioid epidemic from its early days in rural America to today's nationwide crisis

• Aug 7, 2018

Purdue Pharma's sales practices

A former sales representative for Purdue Pharma? tells CBS News' Tony Dokoupil that the drug maker continued to engage in deceptive sales practices for its opiate painkiller OxyContin later than the company previously acknowledged. Carol Panara joined Purdue Pharma as a sales representative in 2008. Watch the full report Thursday, June 21 on "CBS This Morning," which airs 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET/PT.

• Jun 20, 2018
• 00:23

Many Americans taking common meds that may cause depression

New research warns more than 200 commonly prescribed medications list depression as a possible side effect

• Jun 13, 2018

Progress against opioid abuse?

About 116 Americans die every day from opiod abuse. In response to the crisis, scientists across the country and around the world are trying to develop non-addictive painkillers. Researchers are starting to make progress. CBS News correspondent Kenneth Craig reports.

• Jun 10, 2018
• 02:28

Researchers may be on verge of creating powerful, non-addictive painkiller

Three Harvard-trained scientists believe they've developed a non-narcotic, non-addictive painkiller 50 times more powerful than morphine

• Jun 8, 2018

Drug executives before Congress

A group of top pharmaceutical distribution executives testified before Congress Tuesday about the millions of prescription painkillers that were shipped to two small West Virginia towns. Washington Post reporter Katie Zezima spoke to CBSN about why only one executive apologized, and he was the only one to say his company contributed to the ongoing opioid epidemic.

• May 8, 2018
• 04:27

Do pill expiration dates have wiggle room?

The FDA advises against using expired drugs, yet many people, including doctors, keep taking medicines well past the date on the bottle

• May 3, 2018

Americans filling far fewer opioid prescriptions, report finds

Last year, U.S. prescriptions filled for opioid painkillers​ showed their biggest drop in 25 years

• Apr 19, 2018

It's easy to buy opioids on the so-called darknet, FBI says

Secret web browsers, encrypted channels, and virtual currency such as bitcoin enable drug trafficking online – but law enforcement is taking aim

• Apr 3, 2018

Doctors warn about "opioid alternative" gabapentin

Drug is being found in more and more overdose deaths

• Apr 2, 2018

Opioids no better than Tylenol for chronic pain, study finds

In patients with chronic back pain or hip or knee arthritis, opioids worked no better than over-the-counter pain relievers at reducing problems with walking or sleeping, new research finds

• Mar 7, 2018

Kids still getting risky painkiller after tonsillectomy

Despite warnings from the FDA, some U.S. children are still being given the opioid painkiller codeine​ after having their tonsils removed, a new study finds

• Nov 16, 2017

OTC painkillers as effective as opioids in ER patients

A new study looked at opioids versus over-the-counter painkillers for treatment in patients with broken bones and sprains

• Nov 8, 2017

Get rid of leftover pills on Drug Take Back Day

President Trump is urging Americans to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28

• Oct 26, 2017

Drug ODs killed more Americans last year than Vietnam War

"Despite the groundbreaking work that police and other agencies are doing, the epidemic is continuing to worsen," a new report states

• Oct 17, 2017

The opioid epidemic in 6 charts

An expert breaks down trends behind the deadly surge in abuse of opioid painkillers, heroin and fentanyl

• Oct 16, 2017

Safety advocates seek ban on high-dose opioids

A petition asks the FDA to ban opioid pills that, when taken as directed, would add up to a daily dose of more than 90 milligrams of morphine

• Sep 1, 2017

Laughing gas reappears in U.S. ambulances

Normally used in dentist's offices and hospitals, nitrous oxide is starting to turn up elsewhere in place of more traditional painkillers

• Aug 31, 2017

Elderly doctor gets 10 years in opioid pill mill conspiracy

93-year-old Vegas doctor was accused of prescribing large amounts of drugs​ to people for no legitimate medical purpose

• Aug 2, 2017

Florida boy overdoses on fentanyl

A 10-year-old boy in Florida has become one of the youngest victims of the national opioid epidemic. Investigators say Alton Banks died last month after he came in contact with the powerful painkiller fentanyl. But how the fifth-grader was exposed is still a mystery. Omar Villafranca reports.

• Jul 19, 2017
• 02:34

Goal of nation's first opioid court: Keep users alive

Buffalo, New York, is experimenting with the nation's first opioid crisis intervention court to get users into treatment faster

• Jul 10, 2017

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