Painkiller industry is big part of Idaho medicine and politics [View all]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Powerful opioid painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin and fentanyl have become a significant part of Idaho's medical landscape over the last decade, with doctors issuing enough opioid prescriptions last year to put the drugs in the hands of three out of four Idaho residents.

A joint investigation by The Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity has found that opioid proponents are a major part of Idaho's political landscape as well, with donations from members of the Pain Control Forum — a group that touts prescription painkillers as improving the quality of life for millions of Americans — making up a huge chunk of lawmakers' campaign cash.

In fact, Idaho ranks sixth in the nation for having a large amount of the state's total political contributions come from Pain Control Forum members. Between 2006 and 2015 (and with only part of the financial data for 2015 available), Pain Control Forum members contributed more than $207,000 to Idaho political campaigns. That includes more than $44,000 contributed to Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter and more than $5,000 each for several Idaho lawmakers in positions to set legislative agendas or on health-related committees. Federal lawmakers from Idaho saw even bigger contributions, including more than $121,000 for U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo.

Otter's spokesman said he was unavailable for comment and Crapo's office didn't immediately respond to inquiries from The AP. But Idaho Senator Pro Tem Brent Hill, a Republican from Rexburg who has received just over $4,000 from Pain Control Forum members in the last decade, said he doesn't think the donations have any impact on drug policy legislation.

Read more: http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/painkiller-industry-is-big-part-of-idaho-medicine-and-politics/article_2b6a7158-84d0-5344-8973-51c63a9df1f6.html