Jan 09 Watch 11:18 The opioid epidemic’s toll on pregnant women and their babies By Melanie Saltzman, Saskia de Melker The risk for overdose from opioid painkillers and heroin among women, including pregnant women, has skyrocketed, which means a growing number of babies are born dependent on opioids. NewsHour Weekend Special correspondent Alison Stewart reports on the challenges for pregnant… Continue watching
Dec 18 Deaths from drug overdoses reach record-high levels in 2014 By Joshua Barajas Nearly 50,000 people died from drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2014, a new record driven by the deaths of heroin addicts and people misusing prescription painkillers, new federal statistics showed. Continue reading
May 18 This genetically modified yeast can now brew morphine By Nsikan Akpan Biologists have created strains of yeast that can brew morphine from sugar, opening the door for cheaper medicine but also easy-to-make illicit drugs. Continue reading
Jan 22 Despite birth defect risks, many women receive strong pain drugs By Laura Santhanam A government report found that a significant number of U.S. women who are of reproductive age have been prescribed opioid pain medication, which are known to cause birth defects. Continue reading
Jan 06 Watch 7:51 How should U.S. regulate powerful painkillers? By PBS News Hour Forty-six people die every day in the U.S. after overdosing on prescription painkillers, causing some states to crack down. Are tighter laws creating new problems? Judy Woodruff gets views from Bob Twillman of the American Academy of Pain Management and… Continue watching
Jul 09 Can antidepressants offer hope to those suffering chronic pain? By Ruth Tam Janice Lynch Schuster was the kind of person who never got sick, because she “didn’t have the time.” A writer for a health research institute, mom to six kids and a boxing hobbyist, Schuster considered herself a healthy 51-year-old. But… Continue reading