Overdose Deaths Increase

“Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government reported Wednesday. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase.” (AP News)

“A group of state attorneys general unveiled on Wednesday a landmark $26 billion settlement with large drug companies for allegedly fueling the deadly nationwide opioid epidemic… Under the settlement proposal, the three largest U.S. drug distributors -- McKesson Corp, Cardinal Health Inc and AmerisourceBergen Corp -- are...