There’s a new development in the nationwide opioid litigation: around a dozen states say they are seeking $26.4 billion from major drug distributors for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, which has killed more than 400,000 Americans over the past two decades. The demand came as states, cities and Native American tribes continue talks with the opioid industry—drug distributors as well as opioid manufacturers and pharmacy chains—to settle thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis.
The distributors are under scrutiny for failing to flag tens of millions of suspicious orders that were diverted for improper use, and eventually led to substance abuse and continuing high rates of opioid-related overdoses. If a settlement can be reached, the Rosenthal Center urges all parties to include ironclad guarantees that all the money will go directly to communities that have suffered and to health care organizations in order to abate the crisis and significantly expand drug treatment.
Meanwhile, with e-cigarette maker Juul under siege from regulators and critics for marketing its products to young people, cigarette company Reynolds American is ramping up sales and marketing of its Vuse brand backed by price promotions, social-media post and billboards aimed at making vaping cool again. Using young models and music that appeals to younger adults, the campaign appears to be working: Vuse sales rose 83 percent in July alone (as Juul’s sales fell 29 percent), just as the FDA is considering new regulations to better control the market for highly addictive e-cigarettes.
And finally, if there are any doubts about the dangers of vaping, a new study found that nearly half of teens who vape have contemplated quitting and 25 percent attempted to stop—a clear indication of the urgent need for interventions to encourage vaping cessation.