Changes to OxyContin Formula Caused Spike in Hepatitis C Infections
A new report published in the Journal of Health Affairs sheds new light on the public health dangers of prescription opioids. The study found that the changes in the OxyContin pill —specifically making it harder to crush or dissolve — intended to curtail abuse of the medication caused abusers to seek alternatives such as heroin. The increased use of this injectable drug resulted in a 222 percent increase in hepatitis C infection rates in states in which OxyContin misuse was high.
Full Story: US News and World Report