Former Rochester Drug Cooperative chief executive Laurence F. Doud III stands outside U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday. By Robert Gebelhoff Robert Gebelhoff Opinions contributor focusing on health, science and public policy.
But the charges are breathtaking. Prosecutors say RDC’s executives were repeatedly warned by their staff that their products were being diverted to illicit markets on a huge scale. As early as February 2013, a contractor who conducted pharmacy audits for RDC advised management that the opioid products being dispensed to some of its pharmacy customers were “like a stick of dynamite waiting for DEA to light the fuse,” according to the complaint.
It’s baffling to imagine that an executive could think he or she could get away with such alleged negligence, given that the DEA clearly notifies them of their legal responsibility to flag suspicious orders. But a few numbers offer some important context: In the time period that prosecutors investigated, RDC’s revenue from sales of controlled substances nearly quadrupled. In the meantime, the compensation of its then-chief executive, Doud, surged to $1.5 million a year.
Why, then, did we have an outbreak in addiction? Because opioids were being taken without proper supervision. They were being diverted illegally to black markets. And, it seems, the largest conduit for that traffic, on a scale of tens of millions of pills, was right in front of us — through a corrupt pharmaceutical supply chain.
Not just that simple but yes agreed.
JuddApatow Sounds like the Trump administration.
Like so many crises that roll down to the people.
It’s a result of dumb progressives and religious groups refusing to vaccinate their kids
Unfettered capitalism at its worst!
Cause of opioid epidemic is unemployment & loss of community that follows. People lose meaning in their lives. States with legal recreational cannabis have opioid addiction rates rapidly falling because body’s endocannabinoid receptors are same for opioids. It’s risk reduction.
Can't make opioids without poppies. See: Afghanistan
Time to give them their own medicine (literally). Then...take it away...in prison Like what was done to so many. Experience is the best teacher.
Sifill_LDF I tried to prosecute the companies selling vast quantities of controlled substance (supposedly controlled) via the internet in 2002. The AMA president refused to talk with me. The govenment just preferred looking the other way. The money flowed and people died.
And here I thought invading Afghanistan was about terrorism
Sue these companies for everything they are worth.
Money.....It's always the money
This the EVIL Queen and Bush 41 who hands are at the wheel. This the Brits 3 Opium WAR
The hubris of these companies and families getting the U.S. addicted is an insult to everyone... and we do nothing about it. Individuals and companies should be made financially insolvent. We need HARDCORE examples made.
As is so much about this administration and corporate culture.
Sounds like our government for decades. With “great power comes breau responsibility” they doegwt about the end.
And those who created the problem will get a slap on the wrist
Of ur going to post. It should be free to read
ok
AOC and Ilham Omar are disgrace and capital punishment for pot smokers.
Sell 1 pill go to prison Sell a billion not so much
I won’t disagree with that.
No crap....Our federal government created the opioid epidemic, just like they create all of our problems. We need to arrest the heads of the FDA, DEA, and DOJ as well as the Sackler Family.
Greed = Great Again, everyone Knows Him