UCSF

Context

From 1999 to 2018 the opioid epidemic claimed more than 500,000 lives in the United States. Military veterans and older adults were particularly affected; veterans' deaths attributed to opioid use increased by 65% from 2010 to 2016, while opioid prescriptions for older adults increased ninefold between 1995 and 2010.

Methods

We reviewed internal pharmaceutical industry documents released in legal discovery to determine how companies targeted these groups to increase prescribing and sales. This review included an analysis of corporate goals and plans identified through internal emails, sales pitches, and presentations.

Findings

These policy and advertising campaigns focused on (a) lobbying policy makers, (b) undertaking unbranded campaigns promoting opioid use, and (c) promoting opioid use in research and the popular media. Opioid manufacturers claimed that opioids could resolve preexisting concerns identified among military veterans and older adults and that the use of opioids would improve quality of life. These campaigns were positioned as public health initiatives and efforts to increase disease awareness.

Conclusions

The findings suggest a need for regulatory reform and transparency related to lobbying, advocacy group relationships with industry, and pharmaceutical advertising.