Prescription Drugs

Webb Gilmore was prescribed a benzodiazepine for sleep but recognized he went into withdrawal after they wore off during the day.

Missouri's lack of mental health care means patients suffer from over-prescribed anxiety meds

Alex Smith

Missouri had the 4th highest rate in the country of residents taking benzodiazepines, and that was before the pandemic amped up anxiety.

An analysis from Washington University finds a large share of construction workers in Missouri, southern Illinois and Kansas are being diagnosed with chronic muscle and joint injuries each year, and many are prescribed opioid painkillers. "It’s a very severe problem, that starts with the back injuries, the shoulder and wrist injuries,” said Len Toenjes, president of the Associated General Contractors of Missouri.

Health, Science & Environment

Missouri Construction Workers Face Frequent Injuries, Often Prescribed Opioids

Shahla Farzan

A large share of construction workers in Missouri, southern Illinois and Kansas are being diagnosed with muscle and joint injuries each year, according to a large analysis of union health care data from Washington University, and many are prescribed opioid painkillers.

Drug Takeback Proposal Aims To Keep Unwanted Medicine Off Illinois Streets, And Out Of The Water

Sam Dunklau

State lawmakers and public health advocates want to make it more convenient for Illinoisans to get rid of their unwanted medicine.

St. Louis County Council established its own prescription drug monitoring program in 2016 to fill the void left by the absence of an official statewide program. Seventy-five jurisdictions across the state now participate in the program.

Health, Science & Environment

St. Louis County Drug Monitoring Program Continues To Grow Across Missouri

Shahla Farzan

Public health officials in St. Louis are expanding their efforts to reduce opioid addiction statewide.The St. Louis County Department of Public Health…

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) talks about the Rural America Health Corps Act in Granite City. The bipartisan legislature would help bring medical professionals to areas like Southern Illinois by bolstering the National Health Service Corps program

Government, Politics & Issues

Durbin Bill Would Bolster Program That Aids New Doctors Who Work In Underserved Areas

GRANITE CITY — A bill in Congress aims to bring more medical professionals to downstate Illinois and other rural and underserved areas across the…

McCaskill blasts the high cost of prescription drugs at a recent stop in St. Louis at a senior center.

Government, Politics & Issues

McCaskill calls for more federal attention on rising drug prices

Jo Mannies

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is calling for Congress to do more to curb sharp increases in prescription drug prices. The Missouri Democrat on Monday…

Cardinal Ritter Senior Services’ Foster Grandparents program connects seniors with low-income children with special needs.

Health, Science & Environment

Low-income Missouri seniors will pay more for medications, after state budget cuts

Low-income Missouri seniors likely will pay more for their medications, after Gov. Eric Greitens signs the state budget.The Missouri Rx Plan covered half…

Health, Science & Environment

Bill expanding use of overdose-fighting drug signed into law in Missouri

Marshall Griffin

Gov. Jay Nixon has signed into law legislation to expand access to medication to combat some drug overdoses. Naloxone hydrochloride, also known by the…

Government, Politics & Issues

State senator's opposition to prescription drug database at odds with expert research

A showdown is looming in the Missouri statehouse over an effort to make Missouri the final state in the nation to gain a prescription drug monitoring…

Government, Politics & Issues

Prescription drug monitoring program one step closer to law, but obstacles still remain

Prescriptions for opioids like hydrocodone and Vicodin that have been dispensed have quadrupled since 1999. Because these drugs are highly addictive, 49…