http://www.pharmaciststeve.com/?p=10350
J&J and Other Drug Makers Tossed From Lawsuit Over Opioid Marketing
The lawsuits followed a failed bid by an advocacy group that petitioned the FDA to tighten labeling on opioid painkillers. Physicians For Responsible Opioid Prescribing argued the drugs lacked sufficient safety and effectiveness evidence for long-term use to manage non-cancer chronic pain, such as low back pain…
The evidence is lacking because the research hasn’t been done, something that Mr. Kolodny refuses to acknowledge, even in court. It’s very sad that PFROP has been able to fund litigation for its own political and financial purposes, while pain patients continue to suffer.
“I’m not happy to hear this, but I’m hopeful we’ll ultimately see these companies held accountable for the public health crisis they created,” says Andrew Kolodny, chief medical officer at Phoenix House, a non-profit that runs alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, and head of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing. “But the legal cases against big tobacco many years before they were successful. This may also take a long time.” ...
Mr. Kolodny, I think you should keep blaming drugs for the “public health crisis.” It makes you look so smart. (Can we start blaming guns for all the deaths they cause too? Will PFROP be filing a lawsuit against gun manufacturers sometime in the near future?)
And really, any public health crisis will do. Drugs are very, very bad, and should be blamed for everything, even addiction. When you blame drugs, that keeps you in business, does it not? Keeps those federal dollars rolling in. I mean, it’s not like you can treat someone for poverty, a condition that can cause addiction. And with your specialty in addiction “medicine,” it’s not like you can treat PTSD or depression, two conditions that can also lead to addiction.
Enjoy rolling in those federal dollars and your popularity while they last, Kolodny. Enjoy being a spokesperson for the drug war… maybe you won’t end up looking as bad as the DEA. (But I doubt it.)
All Things Chronic 
nice pic–love that show
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It was a great show. And I think Rebel Donut here in Albuquerque still makes Breaking Bad Blue Sky donuts. 🙂
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awesome!
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Just wanted to sat that all these people who don’t need opiates really should be careful with what they wish for. When they see themselves or a very close family member in the mirror crippled with 24 hour a day pain then let’s see how they find the system from the inside. I take my medication religiously as prescribed but every time you see a new doctor who does not know you you get the line “now we need to be cutting down on these opiates” well yes I say to myself. So before the pharma companies find a replacement lets make the only drug available that works unaccesable to the public. The pharma companies are making so much money on them that is this not the problem? Governments need to push science for an alternative as I have a spinal cord stimulator inserted and have tried a lot of medications but the only thing that stops me wanting to cut my foot off is the combination of the spinal cord stimulator lyrica, amitriptline, and opiates combined and even with all that my pain score is high every second of every day. If we tighten up on opiaates people in need will turn to Valium, solaphadine alcohol and illegal street drugs. Surely that is the nightmare scenario? Should someone want to abuse drugs (legal and illegal) then they will labelling and tighter prescriptions will only leave people suffering where every second of every day hurts.
So why are we not focusing on alcohol abuse? I don’t know figures but I garantee that it outweighs the legal drug abuse? And again illegal drugs well
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I assume the alcohol industry pays our politicians just like all the other ones do. And illegal drugs are only illegal because they weren’t made by the pharmaceutical industry and don’t require paying a doctor to write a prescription. For instance, meth can be found in Adderall (for ADHD) and over-the-counter decongestants. And legal heroin is found in Oxycontin and other opioids.
Tell me about your stimulator… For instance, how long have you had it? Isn’t it supposed to be an alternative to drug treatment? If it works, then why do you still have to take the medications?
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The stimulator is great don’t get me wrong but it still is not enough. It covers my left foot and does give me relative relief that is not possible without over medication. I had it inserted in sept 2009 and I have it turned on 24/7. Ii had two discectomys 1998,2008 and scar tissue severed the nerve at l4/5 and so the pain goes downwards to my foot. The stimulator and fusion in 2010 gives me about 70% improvement in my foot are but that is still good as without its a 10-10 pain score.My spinal area at incision sites are not reallycovered by the stimulator as it isfocused on the foot. So really the optiate just fill the gap but I take them only at a level that keeps me functioning enough that I can try to be normal as can be. Some days that’s not as easy and I have had a rough week but I think I am on the right trak I just need to take it easy and not overdo anything. I am licky to say I have taken up oil and watercolour painting since I was sick and it’s the other partof bring positive I my outlook . I feel that there is more to be done by doctors ands elf awareness and positivity whilst remaining realistic to our own limitations dad what we did before at full time Work or sport are things of The past now focus on the realistic Art is one part and my family who are amazed in understanding and support . That said I could do with more support form the authorities as having a condition like chronic pain is still missunderstood misdiagnosed and people lik myself, and there are hundreds of thousands of us that still need more help with enjoying life without prejudiced judgement because there are no blood tests or X-rays or scans that a clipboard checklist be be written dor means that we are limno and some fall between the gaps. I just keep fighting and painting..sorry for spelling mistakes etc….
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Sorry to be so nosy, but since you’ve had the stimulator for 6 years, have you noticed that it’s become less effective? I mean, have you had to get it turned up or repositioned?
Art is a great distraction, isn’t it? But if you create art, it’s not that fun unless you can share it with others. I haven’t had a chance yet, but I look forward to visiting your website to see what you’ve created. 🙂
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It’s true the stimulator took a while to get used to and I get it reviewed every year or so. I don’t see any signs of tolerance as the settings now are probably lower that at the start. That said at the start you think that it works better at the higher levels but it just makes you jump when it’s too high and you get a jolt. It’s like a slow pulsing that works best. Honestly without it I would be lost.
Art is great, I had not touched a paint brush since school until three years ago now I paint every day if I am well enough. Last week did not manage anything sadly but today have been hard at it.
http://scottsibbald.com/2015/02/27/paintings-for-sale/
Also have something on ETSY and I am messing about with a .co.uk site but one step at a time.. Pacing etc..
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Oh I just realised that I should have added that I have a patient controller so I can adjust the power and speed of the stimulator as and when I wish to. I have the controller to adjust 4 programs individually which focus the stimulation at different locations. Just wish it had an iPad app….However there is a risk of unauthorised manipulation.. Scary.. Hope it helps..
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