As the opioid crisis ravages the nation, emergency department physicians in Philadelphia are trying to use data and new interventions to change the way opioids are being prescribed, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report.  By Anuja Vaidya - 5/29/18

There are many different ways to quantify the opioid crisis. The obvious is the dramatic rise in deaths from overdoses.  By Dean Shold VP, Technology at Medigram - 5/29/18

The Addiction Policy Forum released a hospital toolkit May 16 to educate emergency medicine providers, patients, families and policymakers on how to respond to the opioid crisis.  By Megan Knowles - 5/22/18

A recent press release by Cigna discusses their new online campaign launch to further their commitment to curbing the national opioid epidemic. By Staff - 5/22/18

It is easy to get lost in the dizzying data of our nation’s overdose epidemic: 63,600 drug overdose deaths in 2016, a number larger than the entire population of Terre Haute, Indiana.  By Jessica Hulsey Nickel - 5/21/18

Brewer-based Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems ended partnerships with two Maine addiction treatment sites that are naming former EMHS physicians in a $1 billion lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, the health system announced May 17.  By Megan Knowles - 5/18/18

After decreasing doses of opioid painkillers administered to hospital patients and delivering the medication with a shot or a pill as opposed to an IV, researchers found they could decrease patients' exposure to opioids while improving pain relief, according to a pilot study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.  By Megan Knowles - 5/18/18

An investigation by FDA scientists revealed numerous data inaccuracies in reports that data vendor IQVIA provided to the agency, including data on opioid drug products, the agency announced May 16.  By Megan Knowles - 5/18/18

As the opioid epidemic increases the number of organ donors dying from drug overdoses, an analysis published in The New England Journal of Medicine found this increase has led to more organ transplants in the last five years.  By Megan Knowles - 5/18/18

The FDA approved Lucemyra, the first nonopioid treatment for adults managing opioid withdrawal symptoms, the agency announced May 16.   By Megan Knowles - 5/17/18

Springfield, Ga.-based Effingham Health System has agreed to pay $4.1 million to resolve allegations that it failed to provide procedures to protect against theft and loss of controlled substances, leading to opioid diversion, according to a statement released from the health system May 16.  By Megan Knowles - 5/16/18

A patient's family is suing Geneva, Ill.-based Delnor Hospital and the patient's physician for allegedly failing to follow protocols that aim to recognize patients at risk of becoming addicted to pain medications, according to the Chicago Tribune.  By Megan Knowles - 5/16/18

Although the U.S. Senate recently approved a bill to address the opioid crisis, to truly curb painkiller abuse, it is crucial to understand why Americans are turning to these powerful drugs, Susan Sered, PhD, professor of sociology at Boston-based Suffolk University, argues in an op-ed.  By Megan Knowles - 5/16/18

Bradenton, Fla.-based Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch (Fla.) Medical Center are no longer using opioids as a first line of defense in the emergency department, resulting in a significant decrease in opioid use, the Bradenton Herald reports.  By Megan Knowles - 5/16/18

The FDA will hold a public meeting July 9 to allow adult and pediatric patients to give the agency their perspectives on the effects of chronic pain, treatment approaches for chronic pain and barriers to accessing treatments.  By Megan Knowles - 5/16/18

Offering physicians free or cheap meals in exchange for promoting opioid products may be increasing their prescribing patterns, according to a Boston Medical Center study reported by The Boston Herald.  By Julie Spitzer - 5/15/18

Payments, free meals and speaking fees from drug companies might be influencing physicians to prescribe opioids, with certain physicians who prescribe the highest amounts of painkillers receiving the most attention from the pharma industry, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.  By Megan Knowles - 5/15/18

As U.S. lawmakers and healthcare providers struggle with how to address the nationwide opioid epidemic, drug abuse issues vary across the country, with the District of Columbia ranking No. 1 for drug problems, according to a WalletHub analysis.  By Megan Knowles - 5/14/18

After Walmart announced it will restrict opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply at its pharmacies across the U.S. May 7, more than 10,000 people signed a petition pushing back against the retail giant's decision, claiming the policy will not alleviate the opioid crisis.  By Megan Knowles - 5/11/18

Executive oversight and management of drug theft can be achieved system-wide with machine learning  By Tom Knight - 5/10/18