Opioid regulation boon: where the billions go

Listen: tens of thousands of people have filed compensation for pharmaceutical companies accused of having fueled the opioid crisis. But few made a check. On May 28, Wamu's “Health Hub” presented Kff Health News' main correspondent, Anneri Pattani, who explained why some survivors have the impression that money was not going in the right places.

Billions of dollars from opioid regulations are paid by drug manufacturers, distributors and retailers to deal with the overdose crisis. Most of this money landed in the hands of the governments of states and local governments to support public health initiatives such as housing, prevention and access to treatment. But the lack of direct compensation for people affected by the overdose crisis has left many survivors away.

KFF Health News' main correspondent, Aneri Pattani, appeared on Wamu's “Hub Hub” on May 28 to explain why governments face pressure to effectively use this windfall to save lives and approach the current opioid crisis.

Kff Health News Producers Audio Producers Zach Dyer and Taylor Cook have helped relate to this segment.

Kff Health News is a national editorial hall that produces in -depth journalism on health issues and is one of the main KFF operating programs – an independent source of independent research, survey and journalism. Learn more about Kff.

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