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Blaming MDs for Opioid Crisis Is Malarkey
Townhall.com ^ | November 1, 2017 | Betsy McCaughey

Posted on 11/01/2017 9:14:33 AM PDT by Kaslin

President Trump's declaration that opioid abuse is a public health emergency is sparking debate about addiction. Tragically, myths and misinformation are blocking the path to preventing more deaths.

Start with the causes of the opioid crisis. On "Face the Nation," New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, chair of Trump's opioid commission, blamed overprescribing doctors. "This crisis started not on a street corner somewhere. This crisis started in the doctor's offices and hospitals of America." That's untrue, Governor.

It contradicts scientific evidence and lets drug abusers off the hook. At least three-quarters of opioid pill abusers and almost all heroin addicts got hooked without ever having been prescribed pain medication for an injury or illness, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Emergency room records show only a fraction - 13 percent -- of opioid overdose victims began taking drugs because of pain, according to the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine. The media feature many stories about patients who needed pain killers and later became addicts, but these are exceptions, not the rule.

Experimenting with opioids -- whether heroin or pills -- is almost always a choice. A bad choice. Young adults account for 90 percent of first-time abusers. To protect the next generation from making that mistake, Trump proposes a "massive advertising campaign to get people, especially children, not to want to take drugs in the first place." The liberal media mock Trump's proposal as a throwback to the 1980s, but in fact he's on the mark.

For decades, popular music has glamorized drug use. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel pays lip service to tackling tough political issues, but his guest lineup this week includes Ty Dolla $ign, whose music videos showcase drug use.

Trump's offering an alternative message. History proves it can work. In 2012 and 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ran hard hitting and graphic ads against smoking, with ex-smokers talking about their own lung disease, cancer and other miseries. The ads cut smoking among youth and convinced 400,000 smokers to quit for good. Trump's campaign should be just as terrifying. Show hospitalized teens with their arms amputated because of infections from heroin needles and brain-damaged overdose victims in nursing homes.

Warning about opioid abuse sounds like a no-brainer. So why do activists like Kassandra Frederique of the Drug Policy Alliance deplore "the persistent stigma of drug use"? As if we're not supposed to hurt addicts' feelings. With drug overdose deaths at record highs, that's misguided.

You no longer see smoking in movies or on television. Stigmatizing cigarettes worked. So why de-stigmatize opioids? We can help those already hooked without doing that.

Christie calls addiction a "disease." It's true that some people succumb to it more than others. But new research suggests the disease metaphor could be hurtful. Addicts who believe they have the free will to quit have a much higher success rate than those who think of themselves as diseased, according to new research from the University of Minnesota and Florida State University. Quitting Parkinson's or Alzheimer's isn't possible, but getting off drugs is.

Harvard professor Gene Heyman insists addicts can choose to stop using drugs once "the penalties for excessive use become overwhelming," such as losing their job or their kids.

Half of addicts who quit do it without treatment. The drug treatment industry doesn't want you to know that. The industry's salivating for more public funds, and joining Democrats in bashing Trump for not spending more. But he's right. Families exhaust their savings and taxpayers foot ever-mounting bills for treatment despite a dismal success rate (under 30 percent) at most rehabs.

To save lives and get better results for the $50 billion already being spent yearly, Washington needs to stop pinning the blame on the medical community, scrap political correctness and turn to the research. And most important, bombard young people with warnings against ever trying drugs.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: addiction; gateway; ink; legalization; marijuana; opoidcrisis; wod
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1 posted on 11/01/2017 9:14:34 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

I emailed the Whitehouse,Hannity and Rush. I want Trump to get credit for stopping the sales of drugs online. Here is what is available today.

*TOP_____ QUALITY _________B.C. ____GROWN______ WEED.
*&*ARRIVAL _______GUARANTEED _______BY ______USPS.
COKE______BLACK TAR_______MOLLY________ADDY______Fentanyl patch
Adderall___Ritalin__oxycotine___xanax_____Norco
***Suboxone__films__roxycodone___percocet___vicodin___m30_a215__
***ac.tavis___codeine___happy__love___promethazine__joy___bless
Ritalin________oxycotine___________xanax__________Norco________valluim Suboxone________films_____Roxys blues____Dogfood____Green crack Crystal meths_____Percs_____Anavah____testosteron inj____HGH____Anadrol
Call___________or___________TEXT___________:::::??///-???


2 posted on 11/01/2017 9:18:31 AM PDT by mplc51
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To: Kaslin

This article bashes Trump but does not even address his charge that doctors are over-prescribing narcotics when other pain medication could/should have been used instead, such as prescription strength Tylenol. Just because this “only” affects 13% or 25% of the addicts does not mean that it is not a problem.


3 posted on 11/01/2017 9:18:56 AM PDT by jimmygrace
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To: Kaslin

I propose we go back to the method of controlling drug addiction used right up until the Johnson administration.

That worked like nothing since.


4 posted on 11/01/2017 9:21:22 AM PDT by MrEdd (Caveat Emptor)
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To: jimmygrace

Additionally, the amount of over-prescription is pretty high per capita.


5 posted on 11/01/2017 9:23:49 AM PDT by caligatrux (Rage, rage against the dying of the light.)
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To: Kaslin; Navy Patriot; stephenjohnbanker; MinuteGal

Another huge health crisis to share with everyone from The People’s Pharmacy! - Generic Drugs

Pay attention to the paragraphs below:

As a former manufacturer of generic OTC drugs, and pioneer in the generic industry, I feel I am qualified to comment on the problems now created by the off shore manufacturing of these drugs, which have little (if any) FDA oversight, no knowledge of the inert ingredients which are being used nor proper oversight to insure that Good Manufacturing Procedures are being followed. Shocking reports of unacceptable ingredients and manufacturing practices being used in some formulations are escaping the once watchful eye of the FDA regularly.

https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/12/23/post-14/

Terri
NC
August 31, 2017 at 3:45 pm

I am a migraine sufferer. Approximately 18 mos ago I was put on beta blocker Metoprolol (25 mg twice a day) as a preventative to reduce headache frequency and severity. I had no problems with the medication, other than slight lethargy and a few pounds gained. About 6 weeks ago, however, my pharmacy advised they had switched to a different manufacturer, and things went quickly downhill.

My bp, which is usually steady and in the good range of 120/67 started going all over the place from lows to highs, with accompanying rapid heart beats of as much as 90 – 118, other than my normal of 62 – 68. I felt lousy, going from being extremely cold, especially in my lower legs and feet, to breaking out in a sweat at the smallest task such as getting dressed.

I had rapid weight gain (10 lbs in two weeks), several anxiety attacks (which I had never suffered), swelling in my ankles, blurred vision, dizziness, a dull headache which lasted for days and fatigue so bad I could hardly get out of bed. My brain felt as if it were in a total fog, and I couldn’t remember something I had done five minutes earlier. At first, I thought the issues were caused by seasonal allergies and a sinus infection, but after the infection cleared, the symptoms grew worse to the point I could hardly get out of bed. Not taking the drug one evening resulted in my feeling much better upon waking, but as I started moving around, my bp hit 146/86 with pulse of 92, and knowing that beta blockers should not be stopped abruptly, I took the dose, which caused things to get even worse and I quickly ended up in my doctors office with a bp of 170/100 and a pulse of 118. After blood work, urinalysis, EKG, my physician and I both believed the culprit to be the new manufacturer.

In the past three years, I have had allergic reactions to three generic drugs, two of which I had taken regularly without previous issue , but each issue coincided with a “new” manufacturer who provided higher profits to the pharmacy or the pharmacy wholesaler. One reaction was anaphylactic, with my throat closing, my tongue swelling and rapid heart beat. As reports of allergies and side effects increasing with generic drugs, and knowing my sensitivity to many unknown inert contents of generic drugs coming from offshore manufacturing facilities, I now carry an Epi Pen with me at doctor’s suggestion.

As a former manufacturer of generic OTC drugs, and pioneer in the generic industry, I feel I am qualified to comment on the problems now created by the off shore manufacturing of these drugs, which have little (if any) FDA oversight, no knowledge of the inert ingredients which are being used nor proper oversight to insure that Good Manufacturing Procedures are being followed. Shocking reports of unacceptable ingredients and manufacturing practices being used in some formulations are escaping the once watchful eye of the FDA regularly.

When I, and my colleagues, first began manufacturing generic drugs to provide alternative low cost pharmaceuticals to public, the FDA guidelines were clear, and the “main ingredient” of the compound was strictly overseen and variances in effectiveness or compound contamination was almost non existent. The drugs mimicked the branded (patented) compound, and the only difference allowed was a small variance in the effectiveness of generic drugs compared to branded products. This was measured by the rate of dissolution of the main drug compound upon ingestion. Generics were highly effective with few problems, and a blessing for consumers who could not afford the high cost of many medications.

As manufacturers moved offshore in search of greater profits (and no doubt, lack of oversight by the FDA) and more and more start up companies entered the market to grab a share of the huge profits being generated by generic manufacturing. The quality of the main compounds began to falter, and the inert ingredients began to include questionable content, which was overlooked or unknown by the governing agencies.

Today’s imported generic pharmaceuticals studies have shown that the difference in bioavailability (effectiveness) can be as much as 40% in imported generic medications, and the inert ingredients unknown and often dangerous. Today with the number of manufacturing facilities in India alone totally between 5,000 and 11,000, it is impossible for a handful of FDA regulators to properly oversee such a large number of manufacturing facilities.

Some reports say as few as 19 FDA inspectors oversee these 5,000 FDA facilities in India. Like many other government agencies, the FDA seems to be employing greater numbers of personnel who are either inept, or indifferent, but even if 100% of the personnel were top notch qualified, it simply boils down to not enough inspectors to properly oversee the number of manufacturing facilities. Side effects from either the inert ingredients, or the huge variance in effectiveness of the compound means continued illness, or side effects, which often mean hospitalizations or visits to ER’s or physicians and a battery of tests to determine the cause of complaint.

As a huge proponent of generics and a pioneer in the industry, I am concerned about the quality and safety of generics. As more and more companies began manufacturing off shore, and more start up companies are created to grab lucrative profits, problems continue to arise. Where once any drugs coming into the US had to meet strict guidelines and testing, including unannounced FDA inspections of manufacturing facilities and the finished product, problems such as these were almost nonexistant. As generic pharmaceuticals began to be more desired by consumers, the number of offshore manufacturing facilities rapidly increased.

In an attempt to make a statement and encourage companies to have GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) the Justice Department, a few years ago, fined a dozen or so pharmaceutical giants who were manufacturing in India and China under less than desirable conditions, causing them to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in fines for their misdeeds. The companies gladly paid the fine, but continued to manufacture with few, if any, changes, based upon the huge profits available in the generic industry.

Chain pharmacies and distribution companies have enjoyed huge profits by encouraging consumers to buy generics, to use mail order prescription services and via other programs initiated for profit. Recently pharmaceutical giants like CVS have decided to enter into the manufacturing arena, grabbing more of the profits, and will eventually put them into a monopoly situation in an industry which is already enjoying huge profits with less and less benefit to consumers. Several top pharmacy chains were recently hit by a lawsuit for overcharging consumers who bought certain generic drugs with their insurance coverage, while the proceeds (co-pays) were kicked back to third party pharmacy benefits managers!

Consumers would have been better off paying cash, which often resulted in less out of pocket costs to them than the co-pay on purchases through their insurance. In addition to these kinds of tactics, we have no idea of the effectiveness of the main compound, nor do we know what additional ingredients are being used in generic manufacturing, or what kind of sloppy manufacturing practices may be involved. We have no option to sue if things go badly, as offshore generic companies have repeatedly been deemed to not be responsible for side effects in generic drugs since they are “copying the original formulation of the original drug” and the original drug and the generic drug have been approved by the FDA. That does not address, of course, the manufacturing process, which can vary from the original formulation via unacceptable practices of the manufacturer and which may be overlooked or unnoticed by the FDA. Many ingredients have been shown to be unacceptable by regulations, and by consumers who have become extremely aware of what they ingest.

The initial intent of generics was to provide lower costs medicines to the public, thereby reducing health care costs not only for the consumer, but for the many agencies who face astronomical health care costs. For people without insurance coverage, or with coverage which did not cover prescription costs, generics were a blessing. Now, the generic medications are working in reverse, increasing side effects or reducing effectiveness, which often results in hospitalizations, increased doctor visits, and the requirement of more medications. This of course, has the opposite effect of the original intent. In typical style, the government is stepping over dollars to grab for pennies, while concerns continue to fall on deaf ears of those in charge, with cost savings becoming a distant memory. Doctors hands are tied, based upon Medicare/Medicaid and big insurance companies requirements that generic drugs be the first choice and sometimes, only option. In many cases, if the patient or his doctor chooses a branded product, the consumer pays a penalty to his insurance company which can be as much as $100 per month, or the patient must pay out of his own pocket for the branded drug, which costs can be as much as $400 to $1000 for branded product versus a 90% reduction in cost if they accept a generic. It becomes a choice based solely on the dollars, but is this wise?

In my case, another generic beta blocker was prescribed and seems to be working without issue. Had I not the background in generic pharmaceuticals, I most likely would not have been able to pinpoint the basis of my symptoms which could have resulted in a diagnosis calling for yet more drugs to be prescribed, or if left unattended, could have resulted in some major event such as heart attack or stroke.

All drugs are not created equal, sadly, and consumers must arm themselves with as much knowledge as possible, and we must fight back against the tide of low quality and dangerous generics. I still believe in the concept of generic pharmaceuticals, but recognize that the lack of integrity in manufacturing, oversight and regulation leaves much to be desired, and questioned, in today’s generic world.


6 posted on 11/01/2017 9:25:55 AM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: jimmygrace

The problem is bad production, warehouse and transportation security. I want to know if elements of Big Pharma derive clandestine profit from that box of oxy that “fell off a truck”.


7 posted on 11/01/2017 9:26:20 AM PDT by Yollopoliuhqui
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To: Kaslin; xzins

Doctors routinely give out narcotics to anyone who claims to have pain. I’ve been offered narcotics where I didn’t have pain at all. In my profession I have seen dozens of people’s lives destroyed because their doctors overprescribed narcotics. I have also seen a lot of patients who are supposed to be taking large doses of natcotics but test negative for the drugs when they are given urine tests. And the doctors still write the prescriptions for more. The patients are obviously selling the drugs on the street.

And a lot of these drugs are being paid for with tax dollars and then end up being sold on the street to people who rob your house and person to get the money to feed their addictions.

Gee, doctors aren’t to blame. Not all all.


8 posted on 11/01/2017 9:29:30 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (Freep mail me if you want to be on my Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar Ping list.)
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To: Kaslin

Uncle’s an NJ doc and shared a few thoughts on the topic.

Here’s one.

He says the Christie move prevents docs from prescribing, in some circumstances, where a legitimate method of treatment(ie-chronic pain) is prescription of opiod pain medication.

He went further poing to what he saw an a more dangerous effect: pushing people straight to the streets for heroin.


9 posted on 11/01/2017 9:29:54 AM PDT by Freemeorkillme
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To: Kaslin
Emergency room records show only a fraction - 13 percent -- of opioid overdose victims began taking drugs because of pain... The media feature many stories about patients who needed pain killers and later became addicts, but these are exceptions, not the rule.

Finally the truth. The MSM is all too quick to blame the medical profession which enhances their support for Obamacare.

There are several physicians in my family, one of whom is an emergency room doctor. All the overdoses she has treated were recreational users of illegally obtained opioids. None of them got started in their addiction due to a pain prescription.

10 posted on 11/01/2017 9:32:10 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: Kaslin

First lets stop the CIA’s absolutely treasonous importation of illicit opium based narcotics into this country, then we can talk about the other issues. We allow this elephant in the room to function un-abated. The CIA is the deep state and THE most pernicious force in this country.


11 posted on 11/01/2017 9:34:21 AM PDT by VTenigma (The Democrat party is the party of the mathematically challenged)
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To: Kaslin

My sister’s addiction did start in doctor’s offices.
She became an expert at finding the right doctors who would write her whatever prescription she wanted.
She went from Percoset to Dilaudid, eventually to fentanyl patches, which she sometimes wore two at time.
No underlying condition to justify such quantities of pain-killers.
I know about underlying conditions that require pain-killers.
My wife has had three spinal surgeries and lives in constant pain.
She was nurse and knew the dangers and has refused to get addicted.


12 posted on 11/01/2017 9:36:40 AM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizen Means Born Here Of Citizen Parents - Know Islam, No Peace -No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: VTenigma

BINGO


13 posted on 11/01/2017 9:40:41 AM PDT by bmwcyle (People who do not study history are destine to believe really ignorant statements.)
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To: jimmygrace

It does no such thing


14 posted on 11/01/2017 9:41:00 AM PDT by Kaslin (Politicians are not born; they are excreted -Civilibus nati sunt; sunt excernitur. (Cicero))
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To: Kaslin

It’s wrong to blame them all, and I do not believe anyone is doing that. However, there are some MD’s that are guilty of handing out prescription medicine when the patient has no real issue warranting that medicine prescribed.


15 posted on 11/01/2017 9:44:18 AM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: Kaslin

People in America (especially young people) are so clueless about this stuff.

Drugs were around when I was a youngster, too.... no one put a gun to my head and told me to take them.

Of all the addicts now, how many can say they were coerced into taking drugs?


16 posted on 11/01/2017 9:44:22 AM PDT by SMARTY ("Nearly all men can stand adversity...to test a man's character, give him power." A. Lincoln)
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To: jimmygrace

tylenol is crap when you’ve had certain surgeries- tylenol is crap when you have degenerative spinal condition- tylenol is crap when you’re dying of cancer or some other extremely painful condition- tylenol won’t help people with severely bad backs get out of bed in the morning. If you’ve never had surgery that is extremely painful- then you won’t know how brutal it can be-

These people ARE suffering now because they can’t effective pain relief because of this overkill on opioids-

If on the other hand you are talking about doctors giving people with toe fungus, or splinters, or hang nails opioid- then yep- you have a point- EVERYONE is getting lumped together in this witch hunt- and it’s ashame because opioids are the strongest best choice for certain people- tylenol is not strong enough- even prescription strength- and not- prescription strength tylenol is dangerous to peopel with kidney problems- even to peopel without who can develop kidney problems- and things like ibuprofen (sp?) causes deadly bleeding in people with stomach issues- and it too isn’t strong enough to help some people be relatively able to function- Again- some people who are crippled by pain are helped enough by opiods that they can function at least on a basic level- it’s no fun havign pain so bad it causes one ot throw up- that isn’t life- opiods have given a great many people the ability to function at a basic level- and helps people as they are going through extremely painful recoveries, or end of life pain- but sadly in this witch hunt- these people are having to suffer because docs are afraid of being arrested for handing out help to those who need it-

We NEED to be sensible about this issue, and go after the right people- not those who are truly suffering- and we NEED to allow doctors the right to be able to prescribe, on an individual basis, the right pain relief- without fear of being persecuted for it- we NEED to do this on a case by case basis-

In the meantime- we need to be looking for a TRUE opioids alternative- but the fact is- there hasn’t been any such medicines found to date- Maybe that will change- but in the meantime- opioids are the most effective meds for real pain- sorry, but tylenol is not- in many cases-

We NEED to go case by case- and make sure there is a legit reason for the use- a ‘backache’ isn’t a reason- yet many docs- i nthe past- did prescribe for such things- De-generative spine issues are a legit reason- certain surgeries are a legit reason (and the proposed 3 days of meds isn’t enough in many cases- get people through the surgeries in relative comfort- whatever it takes- usually a week or two- depending on the surgery)


17 posted on 11/01/2017 9:46:11 AM PDT by Bob434
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To: P-Marlowe; Kaslin

Like any profession, there are good docs and bad docs.

Hope someone gave some pain meds to Kershaw after the last outing. I assume he’ll be going on short rest tonight. Hope they don’t burn his arm out.


18 posted on 11/01/2017 9:46:40 AM PDT by xzins (Retired US Army chaplain. Support our troops by praying for their victory. L)
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To: mplc51

You have got to be joking. No legit online pharmacy can or will sell those items.


19 posted on 11/01/2017 9:49:51 AM PDT by Moleman
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To: Robert DeLong

[[However, there are some MD’s that are guilty of handing out prescription medicine when the patient has no real issue warranting that medicine prescribed.]]

And that is precisely what needs to change- however- we should not penalize docs who don’t do such things and who prescribe for legit reasons- but sadly this opioid issue is turning into a witch hunt, and good people are suffering as a result- The fact is- the % of doc abuse is low (but we can make it even lower by weeding out bad docs)- most opioid problems come from illegal use- not from people having had to use prescription meds- (yes, there are some cases- but the majority never become addicted when taking it as prescribed)


20 posted on 11/01/2017 9:51:00 AM PDT by Bob434
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