Battling the opioid epidemic: A roundup of recent news and information

Most Americans think drug companies should be held responsible for their role in opioid crisis
A new NPR poll found that 57% of Americans say pharmaceutical companies should be held responsible for making the opioid crisis worse. Additionally, it found that a third of Americans have been touched directly by the deadly opioid epidemic that kills more than 100 people every day. One in three have been personally affected in some way, either by knowing someone who has overdosed or by knowing someone with an opioid addiction, said Mallory Newall, lead Ipsos researcher on the survey. To read more, click here.**

Opioid company’s top executives found guilty of bribing doctors
A federal jury in Boston found John Kapoor, founder of Insys Therapeutics, and four other executives guilty of bribing doctors to boost sales of Subsys^®, a highly addictive fentanyl sublingual spray, npr.org** reported.

Forum addresses role employers can play in stemming opioid epidemic
The human costs of the opioid epidemic are substantial, and they trickle down to employers in the form of absenteeism and compromised performance on the job. One study found that opioid abuse costs U.S. employers $18 billion annually in lost productivity. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan recently sponsored a Health Forum of West Michigan panel discussion about opioids. It looked at five key steps employers need to take to help employees struggling with substance use disorders. Read more in a MI Blues Perspectives blog.

Meijer launches drug take-back program
Meijer recently announced a Consumer Drug Take-Back Program at all its supercenters across the Midwest. At Meijer, you can simply dispose of your old prescriptions during pharmacy hours at secure kiosks. This includes opioids, controlled substances and over-the-counter medications. The Meijer Drug Take-Back Program allows our customers to remove the risk of an unforeseen accident occurring with expired or unused medications, while enabling them to properly dispose of prescription drugs and reducing the possibility of creating a public health hazard, said Jason Beauch, vice president of Meijer Pharmacy. Read more in a MI Blues Perspectives blog.

What if patients don’t want to be prescribed opioids?
With so many people becoming addicted to opioids over the past few years, it’s not surprising that many people don’t want to rely on opioids to relieve pain. Dr. Duane DiFranco, vice president, Medicare STARs and Clinical Performance, offers some nonopioid alternatives in a MI Blues Perspectives blog targeted to members.

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn't own or control this website.