Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Google Imposes Restrictions On Opioid Treatment Center Ads
As drug addiction soars in the United States, a booming business of rehab centers has sprung up to treat the problem. And when drug addicts and their families search for help, they often turn to Google. But prosecutors and health advocates have warned that many online searches are leading addicts to click on ads for rehab centers that are unfit to help them or, in some cases, endangering their lives. (Corkery, 9/14)
Federal officials and members of President Donald Trump's opioid commission on Thursday said additional steps are required before the administration can formally declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency. (MacDonald, 9/14)
And in other news —
An Arizona-based pharmaceutical company targeted in lawsuits and criminal investigations over its marketing of a highly addictive painkiller has filed a related patent-infringement lawsuit against a rival drug maker. Insys Therapeutics filed the complaint against Teva Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday in federal court in Delaware. (Chase, 9/14)
Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) on Thursday called on federal watchdogs to investigate an alleged scheme in which drug addicts in Philadelphia are herded into drug-treatment centers in exchange for kickbacks using Medicaid dollars. In a letter to Daniel Levinson, inspector general for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Toomey cited articles in the Inquirer and Daily News that disclosed the practice. (Lubrano, 9/14)
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price made a quick trip to New Hampshire Thursday afternoon to announce $200 million in federal grants targeting community health centers, to increase access to mental health and opioid abuse services. Ten New Hampshire recipients – nine health centers and the City of Manchester – are set to receive about $175,000 each as part of the grant program. (McDermott, 9/14)
New Bedford is one of the Massachusetts cities that's been hit particularly hard by the opioid epidemic. ... Each opioid outreach team is made up of a police officer, a member of the clergy, and some type of drug counselor. Many of them grew up in New Bedford. (Mullins and Joliocoeur, 9/14)
