Government Healthcare Policy, Business and Technology

Amid opioid epidemic, rules for drug companies are loosened

Los Angeles Times: When it comes to combating the nation’s opioid epidemic, politicians of all stripes say they are fully committed.

President Obama wants to spend a billion dollars on new treatment programs. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump talk about the ravages of addiction and the need for solutions. And Congress earlier this month passed a package of legislation to prevent overdoses, bolster law enforcement and improve recovery programs.

But this spring, with little attention and virtually no public opposition, lawmakers approved and the president signed a new law that makes it more difficult for government to take action against a key player in the crisis: the pharmaceutical industry.

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