Politics of Pain
In a first-of-its kind partnership, the Center for Public Integrity and The Associated Press investigated the politics behind the opioid epidemic, with a unique look at how drugmakers and their allies sought to block and delay legislation and thwart other steps intended to combat opioid abuse while pushing their own profitable but unproven remedies.
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Politics of Pain
Part 1 of 3
Published — September 18, 2016 Updated — December 15, 2016 at 9:07 am ET
Politics of pain: Drugmakers fought state opioid limits amid crisis
Makers of prescription painkillers tried to kill state measures aimed at stemming the tide of opioid drugs
Politics of Pain
Part 2 of 3
Published — September 19, 2016 Updated — December 15, 2016 at 9:09 am ET
Pro-painkiller echo chamber shaped policy amid drug epidemic
A coalition of drugmakers, industry-backed nonprofits blanketed Washington with messages about the importance of painkillers
Politics of Pain
Part 3 of 3
Published — December 15, 2016
Drugmakers push profitable, but unproven, opioid solution
Bills benefiting harder-to-abuse opioids promoted in statehouses, Congress.
