Would a Conservative government really sue pharma companies over the opioid crisis?
Federal Tory leader Pierre Poilievre says his government would launch lawsuits to recover healthcare expenses and other costs stemming from the opioid crisis (515 words, 2.5 minutes)
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Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, announced he would sue “Big Pharma” and their consultants for alleged involvement in cases of opioid addiction. In a press release, the Conservative Party said that if Mr. Pollievre is elected Prime Minister, the lawsuit’s objective would be to seek reimbursement of $44 billion in federal funds allegedly tied to healthcare expenses and lost tax revenue. The funds would subsequently be allocated to support treatment and recovery programs for Canadians dealing with addiction, according to the proposal.
In the press release, Mr. Poilievre, who has frequently criticized the city of Vancouver's approach to the opioid crisis, mentioned that British Columbia has initiated a class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. He added that the federal Liberal government has not yet announced a position regarding these lawsuits. However, he says if his party was to form a majority in the next Federal election, Ottawa would join British Columbia’s lawsuit as a plaintiff. According to a statement, “The opioid epidemic has severely impacted our communities, shattered lives, and caused immense devastation to families. We must advocate for justice on behalf of the victims of addiction.”
A report by CityNews says Mr. Poilievre claims federal and provincial governments are exacerbating the opioid crisis through their policies.
Additional source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pierre-poilievre-big-pharma-class-action-1.6778678
THIS WEEK 05/30/23
Roche Canada and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance have completed successful negotiations for faricimab injection (Vabysmo), for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
The U.S. FDA has approved Lexicon Pharma’s sotagliflozin (Inpefa) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visits in adult patients with heart failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Indivior announced that the U.S. FDA has approved nalmefene (Opvee), a nasal spray indicated for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose in patients who are at least 12 years old.
The U.S. FDA has approved Celltrion’s adalimumab-aaty (Yuflyma), a biosimilar to Humira, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
LISTEN UP
In season nine of the NPC Podcast, Anastasia Lit, Co-founder of TechPharus, talks about using AI to enhance medical care and research, the rapid development of software and AI technologies, and how AI is transforming the labour market. Hear her in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This new feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. In Healthbiz Rewind, you’ll read bold life sci predictions made during the renowned “Prognostication Korner” segment of the NPC Podcast.
Jody Engel
Montreal
Knight Therapeutics Inc.
Country Manager, Canada
Season 7, episode 06
Listen to this episode here
What bold predictions will you make about the life sciences industry during the coming 12 to 24 months?
I’m not sure if it’s bold or hopeful, but I would like to think that we will see a turnaround of pharma and biotech stocks that have certainly taken a hit over the last few months. That would be my hopeful — and hopefully not bold — prediction.
NEXT WEEK
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