Thanks Stan, I really appreciate it! I have several short articles that I’m writing covering various aspects of this and will reach out to get your feedback when I’m closer.
On question 3-- yes, I think there is reason for optimism that the new treatments under development can work, including vaccines, non-opiate painkillers, addiction reducers, etc. Il’l be writing about this very soon and also looking for experienced pharma folks for thoughts on pipeline to market timing and obstacles.
Whether these treatment will be game-changers or useful additions to our limited toolbox remains to be seen. And whether they will take 15 years to get to market or 5 is what I’m hoping to influence. But there are some human trials already in progress on exciting stuff.
Well the theory of change here actually includes the pharma companies in trying to develop treatments. I don’t trust pharma to do anything other than profit maximize, but I think the dynamics are such that this effort won’t be in opposition to their interests and the FDA has already clamped down hard on new medications with addictive potential.
The government probably should have put the Sackler settlement money towards development of non-addictive painkillers.