opioid

In one way or another, Thomas Gooch has spent more than 30 years struggling with illegal drugs. The 52-year-old Nashville, Tenn., native grew up in extreme poverty. He was first incarcerated in 1988 and spent the next 15 years in and out of jail for using and selling narcotics. “Until 2003,” Gooch says. “That was the first time I went to treatment and the last time I used.” Since then, for most of 19 years, Gooch has been trying to get others into recovery or just keep them alive. He handed out clean needles and…

The ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S. has shortened life expectancy and caused untold suffering. The synthetic drug fentanyl has been particularly devastating, because it’s so potent compared to other opioids. New research in rats may offer a glimmer of hope, however: Scientists found that an experimental vaccine can prevent the behavioral and physiological effects of fentanyl, by producing antibodies that bind to the drug in the bloodstream. The work is detailed in a study published in late October in the journal…

By GEOFF MULVIHILL Walmart proposed a $3.1 billion legal settlement on Tuesday over the toll of powerful prescription opioids sold at its pharmacies, becoming the latest major drug industry player to promise major support to state, local and tribal governments still grappling with a crisis in overdose deaths. The retail giant’s announcement follows similar proposals on Nov. 2 from the two largest U.S. pharmacy chains, CVS Health and Walgreen Co., which each said they would pay about $5 billion. Most of the drugmakers that…

The Walmart agreement was announced the same morning the company is reporting its latest quarterly results. Photo: MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS…

Researchers report the breakthrough discovery of a new vaccine that targets the dangerous synthetic opioid fentanyl. It can block fentanyl’s ability to enter the brain, thus eliminating the drug’s “high.”Study suggests new vaccine could prevent deadly opioid from entering the brain.A new vaccine has been developed that targets the dangerous synthetic opioid fentanyl that could block its ability to enter the brain, thus eliminating the drug’s “high.” The breakthrough discovery could have major implications for the nation’s…

We got a call on the first day of my ride-alongs.It was on this very normal suburban street.When I exited the car and walked up,I could hear agonizing crying from down the street.When I approached, I kind of came across thisreally incredibly heartbreaking scene ofa family in mourning for their son,who had just overdosed.It really was one of the harder photos I've ever taken.The family eventually reached out to meand invited me to the funeral.I felt really honored to be there.Everyone had a story to tell about personal…

CVS and Walgreens were also the subject of a 2021 lawsuit, which cited them as a “public nuisance.”Image: JHVEPhoto (Shutterstock)CVS and Walgreens are ready to wipe their hands clean of the years-long legal battle of opioid related lawsuits and claims levied against them. The pharmaceutical retail companies have agreed to pay a total of $9.9 billion in resolution.CVS agreed to a $5 billion payout which will be split between different parties, with $4.9 billion going to states and political subdivisions and $130 million…

Rafael Henrique | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesCVS Health reported third quarter earnings Wednesday morning that beat Wall Street's expectations. Here's how the pharmacy giant performed compared to Wall analysts' estimates, according to Refinitiv:Earnings per share $2.09 vs. $1.99, expected.Revenue $81.16 billion vs. $76.75 billion, expected.It's the third consecutive quarter in which CVS beat earnings expectations. Revenue rose 10% year-over-year.CVS' Health Care Benefits segment grew nearly 10% compared to the same quarter…

CVS Health Corp. CVS -0.08% has agreed to pay about $5 billion in a landmark settlement that the company says would resolve all remaining opioid-crisis lawsuits brought by states, cities and other governments. The largest U.S. drugstore company is the first pharmacy chain to reach a settlement in the collection of lawsuits brought by governments and Native American tribes blaming CVS and rival pharmacies for helping fuel the nation’s opioid epidemic.  Under the proposed…

Back in 2018, representatives for Matthew Perry revealed that the “Friends” star had suffered from a gastrointestinal perforation that left him bedridden for three months, but they declined to reveal the cause of that medical crisis. In a new interview with People, ahead of the publication of his memoir, the 53-year-old Perry reveals that this crisis was far more grave than previously indicated. Perry explained that his colon burst due to opioid overuse. He ended up in a coma for two weeks and was given little chance of…