Sanders Legislation Targets Drugmakers Involved in Opioid Epidemic

Drug manufacturers found to be fueling the opioid crisis would face marketing limitations and stiff fines under legislation introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The Opioid Crisis Accountability Act of 2018 would ban direct-to-consumer marketing of opioids that falsely suggests the drugs have no addictive qualities or risks, and would fine companies in violation of the provision 25 percent of their profits from sales.

In addition, companies found to be contributing to the epidemic would be hit with a fine of $7.8 billion – ten percent of the estimated annual cost of the opioid crisis.