The inventor of Narcan, the nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose, said the decision by an Oklahoma judge to hold Johnson & Johnson responsible for fueling the state's opioid crisis is a major step in the nation's effort to combat the epidemic.
While the $570 million judgment was a fraction of the $17 billion requested by the state, Dr. Roger Crystal said that it illustrates "that the states are taking this crisis very seriously."
Narcan, which administers naloxone, blocks opioid receptor sites in a person's nervous system and can reverse the effects of an overdose — if administered quickly enough.
The nasal spray was first approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration in November 2015. Since then, the product has been used countless times to reverse overdoses from opioids, which include drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and illegal fentanyl, among others.
<i>The opioid epidemic in 2017 by the numbers. Credit: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</i>
Each dose costs roughly $37, which, Crystal said is "totally appropriate" for a drug that can save a life. Still, roughly 130 people die everyday from opioid overdoses, according to government estimates.
The Johnson & Johnson decision is a "recognition of a serious opioid crisis," Crystal said, adding that opioids have "been the biggest killer of young Americans."
Crystal added, however, that while opioid manufacturers have "significantly contributed" to the crisis, addressing the issue will require a broader restructuring of how painkillers are prescribed and how doctors approach pain management.
Monday's court ruling also coincides with International Overdose Awareness Day, which is observed every year on August 31.
It was a rare sight — a senior British royal testifying in a court of law. What Prince Harry said, both during cross-examination in the witness box Tuesday and in his written witness statement, was just as unusual.
If your summer could use a pop of color, look no further than fashion brand Never Fully Dressed, which is opening its first permanent U.S. store right here in New York City. Cheddar News correspondent Chloe Aiello is on the scene with founder Lucy Aylen.
The bodies of three men have been removed from the site of a collapsed six-story apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, about a week after part of the century-old structure tumbled to the ground, the city's police chief announced Monday.
In celebration of Pride Month, Cheddar News anchor Baker Machado visited the Stonewall Inn in New York City and sat down with owner Stacy Lentz to talk about the historic events that took place at the bar more than 50 years ago.
The Writers Guild of America has confirmed plans for a strike action at the Apple HQ in Cupertino, CA on Monday, as the tech giant kicks off its Worldwide Developers Conference.
