Global Opioids

A look at Mundipharma’s marketing of opioids in China. (AP Video/Nat Castañeda, Peter Hamlin, Erika Kinetz)

OxyContin sales are slowing in the United States under an avalanche of lawsuits and the bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma. But the company's owner, the Sackler family, continues to profit from sales of their signature painkiller in China. (Nov. 20)

AP journalist Kristen Gelineau shares her experience reporting on the opioid crisis across Australia.

Australia is following the same ominous course as the United States, with skyrocketing rates of opioid prescriptions and related deaths. (Sept. 5)

An AP report finds Big Pharma is still pushing opioids outside of the U.S. The report details a corruption investigation in Italy alleging pharmaceutical officials paid a pain doctor to help them market opioids in the country. (May 29)

AP journalists Claire Galofaro and Frances D’Emilio share their experience reporting on Italy's "Pain League."