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Drug companies misrepresented the research around addiction; they aggressively sold the medication to doctors and patients; they continued these sales even when
by DanBC 7y ago
Drug companies misrepresented the research around addiction; they aggressively sold the medication to doctors and patients; they continued these sales even when they had data showing large amounts of misuse in a region.
People seem to think there can only be one point of failure, one organisation or person to blame. The opioid crisis is complex and many things failed. You're right that doctors should not have prescribed as many opioids, but that doesn't absolve the makers or the insurance companies.
- badpun 7y agoThese companies usually operate on a global scale and yet the opioid crisis is limited to the US. Did the companies not try pulling the same tricks (misinformation, ignoring warnings) in other countries?
- benj111 7y agoThere doesn't seem to be any suggestion of fraud in the linked article? Nevertheless if Drs are relying on companies for unbiased data, that again seems like that should be addressed. I'm not saying there's one point of failure, note in my prior reply I wrote "primarily" their fault. But Drs are the professionals here, they have a duty towards their patients. If a Dr prescribes something for me, I expect them to have weighed up the pros and cons. If Amazon recommends something I have no such expectation.