"We are also disturbed that no one from the Senator's staff contacted APS to inquire and learn the truth about our policies and procedures governing industry grants. Had they done so, we would have explained in detail the educational and pain research initiatives APS continues to pursue to help resolve the opioid crisis," the APS said in a statement.
The McCaskill report, released February 12, found that five opioid manufacturers made contributions of nearly $9 million to 14 third-party pain advocacy groups between 2012 and 2017. The APS, the Academy of Integrative Pain Management, and the American Academy of Pain Medicine are among the groups mentioned in the report.
The report said initiatives from these groups often "echoed and amplified messages favorable to increased opioid use — and ultimately, the financial interests of opioid manufacturers."
It also charges these groups of issuing guidelines and policies "minimizing the risk of opioid addiction and promoting opioids for chronic pain, lobbied to change laws directed at curbing opioid use, and argued against accountability for physicians and industry executives responsible for overprescription and misbranding."
"The pharmaceutical industry spent a generation downplaying the risks of opioid addiction and trying to expand their customer base for these incredibly dangerous medications and this report makes clear they made investments in third-party organizations that could further those goals," McCaskill said in a statement.
"These financial relationships were insidious, lacked transparency, and are one of many factors that have resulted in arguably the most deadly drug epidemic in American history," she added.
The report also noted a lack of transparency, given that the advocacy groups are not obligated to disclose their donors publicly, an issue McCaskill said needs addressing.
"The financial relationships between these groups and opioid manufacturers should be clear to the general public," she said.
"Simplistic and Incorrect"
2 comments:
As one who is on these meds so I can live a productive life with the severe pain I have, everyday I am made to feel like a criminal. I hide the fact I am on these meds, will not disclose to anyone where I go for treatment for fear of it being shut down and fear being stopped by the police for anything when I have my medication in the car. To those of us which take these meds to live a productive life we see it as no different than someone taking insulin, high blood pressure meds or heart medication. Go after the abusers and stop making those of us who benefit greatly from these drugs feel like criminals who need to hide what they do in the shadows.
Abusers are overdosing not those of us who use them to live as close to a normal pain free life as possible. It is sad the number of overdoses but are the majority of them from people taking meds as prescribed or from those abusing them looking for that next great high? As with anything abused too much will kill you!
IIRC, up for re-election so will need to stage stunts and look useful. Completely mediocre senator, on her best day. Rest of time just wealthy, useless lump.
Post a Comment