and the -- there were approximately 2 of 3 prescription medications reported to be unused. and the reasons for that were the disease or the condition improved and they were no longer necessary which suggest that maybe some of our prescribing -- it was the reason they weren't using their medications. thrown in the trash was the most common method of disposal which was government's advice not too long ago to mix it with kitty litter and make it not identifiable. people are dying from analgesics or pain overdose. if you use them repeatedly, you become depend on them and addiction have followed these curves as they're shown here. we have a little bit of san francisco statistics about the deaths and supervisor breed mentioned this earlier. 127 prescription poisoning deaths and out of those, most were op -- they're sedatives used in mental health. there was one study done on prescription opioids cost. it showed a 55 billion cost to the united states in 2007. some was work place and some were health care and some was criminal justice. the national institution of drug abuse asked w

the improper use of prescription medication is probably the sixth cause of death today. so, you have people that have difficulty sleeping at night -- aches and pains cause loss of sleep -- and they worry about the medicine they're taking. omega xl releases that fear of "is it going to interact with my other drugs," and it reduces the inflammatory pain that you may have in your back, your legs and so on, to give you a good night's sleep. >> i've got to say, i've done very few testimonials in my life -- you can count them on one hand -- and this is a terrific product. it's wonderful being associated with you. >> i have been practicing medicine for over 20 years, and i have never endorsed a product, either. >> really? >> and i just feel that this product is so valuable and so important that it's a privilege to be associated with it. >> in fact, i'm gonna take two now. >> well, i will add this, and this is one thing. 80% of our customers are women that call in to buy our product. the women are the gatekeepers of the family's health. >> mm-hmm. >> grandmothers are able to now

that are using outpost use less prescription medications, they are a little more mindful of the food >> pretty powerful and will help prevent chronic disease. >> the second one cold weather. we had an exceptionally cold winter. >> cold is really, when we are exposed to the cold, we are exposed to the cold. the cold causes our body to release hormones to the body. i think that it just makes us more susceptible. melissa: was it a total lie that i read in some ute magazine? >> it was in a news artle. >> isust rpons to teerate change. i think it kind of the same principle. >> the 52nd rule. you pick it up and eat it and you are fine. is there any merit to that? there is back. out literally over everything. we can get crazy about putting our hands and our mouth and our eyes. >> the amount of time that it spends is ridiculous. >> yes. [laughter] teen give me any guidance. it is all bad? >> i think it is a maybe. that there may be more bacteria there. melissa: thank you. all right. hired for less. new job for one generation. it is all about the price tag. one of medias biggest moguls. more

the doctor's note the prescription medication and the girlfriend. >>> and the saga is over. amanda knox will not be sent back. >>> and the deadly explosion, the search for survivors. >>> and officers indicted. >>> and

however it can can help using fewer prescription medications. d apple eaters didn't have significantly less doctor visits but they filled fewer prescription medications. one more reason to have an apple. and they're delicious i think. >> i agree. i love the crunch. good for you. >> it is 6:27. following some breaking news coming to us out of virginia. >> swat teams have a hospital surrounded for an active shooter search. more on who the suspect is. we'll be right back ffee drinking world, dunkin' has a dark roast coffee that's deliciously roasted just right for a bold start and smooth finish that's never bitter. put down the dark roast you've been putting up with and reach for the one you deserve. every cup has a story... dunkin' k-cup packs are my life. we're a good fit. a single serving for myself. it's pretty special. it is like having a dunkin' store in my home which is what i've always dreamed of. get two boxes of dunkin' k-cup packs for $16.99. your coffee, your dunkin'. >> ♪♪ >> break nanon "action news" police have identified an armed and

five female students took prescription medications and got sick. four went to the hospital. a 15-year-old student was handing out the pills. >>> starting today more fire and emergency workers will be ready to help d.c. residents in need. mayor muriel bowser ordered up 10 additional support units and transport units to be on stand- by at the peak hours monday through friday. d.c. fire and ems department previously had about 40 ambulances and medic units in service. that number now could reach nearly 50 depending how many workers are available for overtime. >>> going on right now in northwest metro workers are holding a discussion on the transit network's safety. the workers union is hosting it. metro's interim gm will lead the talks. this comes two months after this electrical malfunction filled a train and the l'enfant tunnel with smoke. one woman died. many went to the hospital. >>> keether helped save the life of a great falls man who suffered a massive heart attack at his home. officer keether administered chest compressions and succeeded in getting the man breathing agai

what we're finding is that they can't get the prescription medication that they used to get - they can't get vicodin or oxy. so what they do instead is they buy heroin. >> opioids are pretty much drugs that come from opium. you create oxycodone and hydrocodone from opium in the same way that you create heroin from opium. and when you look at the effect that hydrocodone or oxycodone or heroin produce... it's pretty much indistinguishable. >> we've driven about 20 minutes out of portland, and we're on our way to meet somebody who started using legal, prescription opioids as a teenager but quickly transitioned onto heroin. >> jack asked us not to use his real name. he is 32 years old. >> once you've done it. you know i've done it for so long that i need it to feel normal. you know what i mean? once i start doing heroin, like i comprehend better. i can focus better. >> he has been using opioids - first prescription painkillers and now heroin - for more than half of his life. it's eleven in the morning and he is preparing his first injection of the day. >> ah, that felt good. >> what does it

the doctor's note the prescription medication and the girlfriend. >>> and the saga is over. amanda knox will not be sent back. >>> and the deadly explosion, the search for survivors. >>> and officers indicted. >>> and the drivers think they're teaching a regular student, but they have no idea she's a professional racer. >>> good evening, we begin with two breaking stories. amanda knox and the murder conviction overturned. there will be no extradition to italy italy. >>> but first, new evidence in the jet that went down. the co-pilot and what we've just learned about him. investigators finding a note from his doctor saying he was too sick to work. and tonight, we learn about his girlfriend and his mysterious hiatus. terry moran from where evidence was hauled away in germany. >> reporter: investigateors say he had a secret. you see the two names on the buzzer. he went to the airport in the morning, flew to barcelona on the same plane he would later crash. tonight, police searching the apartment again after the bombshell find last night. a torn-up note from a doctor saying he w

city leaders say collecting unwanted prescription medications helps present abuse and environmental impacts. they will vote on the issue march 10th. in july of 2012 alameda was the first to approve a drug take back mandate. >>> texas nurse who was infected with ebola has announced that she is suing the hospital where she worked. nina pham contracted ebola while caring for a patient who died last october. pham's attorney says the hospital did not train nurses on how to treat ebola patients. she also accuses the hospital of using her for public relations purposes without her permission. >>> newly published e-mails suggest the man known as jihadi john has suicidal thoughts before leaving britain for syria two years ago. he told a journalist he thought about taking an overdose of sleeping pills to get away from the scrutiny of the british service. he was born in kuwait but was raised in london. >>> 4:56 is the time. a community outraged after a freshman student athlete was shot and killed in broad daylight in oakland. >> 14 years old. walking down the street getting gunned down like an animal.

people who eat an apple each day take fewer prescription medications but they are as likely to go to the hospital or visit a mental health professional. the study is published online in the journal of the american medical association interim medicine. >> it is still worth eating apple. still good now. >> two good samaritans are chased down a guy who took an elderly woman's purse. >> you can see the accuse the purse snatcher running down the street and then an 82-year-old woman chasing after him and the victim was heading home from church on sunday and a man ran up to her and grabbed the purse and two men saw what was going on and stopped the suspect as he made his way through the used car dealer help. >> picks him up slammed him against the door and he drops the purse the good samaritan and his buddy throw the purse to the side the perpetrator moves out the other side down beach boulevard. >> he did not get far. miss arrested 25-year-old man a knew blocks away. the police are alonging for the two good samaritans to thank him. >> a greening community honors a fallen hero and next at 5

the doctor's note, the prescription medication, and the girlfriend. >>> and the saga is over.ust overturned for amanda knox. she will not be sent back. >>> the deadly explosion, the search for survivors. authorities reveal early signs of the culprit. >>> federal charges tonight, the police officer indicted after this takedown of an indian man. after a neighbor reports a suspicious man in the neighborhood. he was a grandfather visiting his family. >>> and the drivers think they're teaching a regular

the doctor's note the prescription medication and the girlfriend. >>> and the saga is over.nda knox will not be sent back. >>> and the deadly explosion, the search for survivors. >>> and officers

the improper use of prescription medication is probably the sixth cause of death today.by the way, they're so small that i just swallowed them without water. >> you have hundreds of people hundreds of family and, we call them employees, but associates at great healthworks today so proud that you're here to help us with our message. >> there's the number. >> there's two different benefits that i've noticed by taking omega xl, one being the increased benefit of not having to worry about stiffness or joint problems. the other benefit has been the difference i've seen in my skin. >> i'm amazed at how many people that i talk to suffer from some sort of back discomfort, usually in the lower back, and i have recommended omega xl numerous occasions and will continue to do so, and i'll be on it for life. >> the omega xl capsule is so small that it's just -- it's so simple to swallow. you get most of these pills that have -- that are huge to take, to swallow. it's very hard. but these -- the omega xl capsules are very small, very easy to take. >> you have to know the pain that you

be nice to have a place to make it easy for me to dispose of unused prescription and non prescription medications and what's so interesting about is this is -- one of the pharmacies in my district, charlie, he thought the program was going away and he was definitely really concerned about that because he's, like, i have customers come from everywhere and i develop new customers an -- customers as a result because i have this drop location and a lot seniors utilize this so much. we have several pick ups more than we anticipated. i think there's a strong desire and i'm looking farld to the implementation and with that, i would like to move forward the legislation as amended to the full board for positive consideration. speaker: thank you, supervisor breed. so i also want to thank the public for coming out and expressing your views today. and i believe that the timeline is an aggressive timeline. i believe sometimes it's durable. i also believe that we're not the first to do this and i think we could especially take note of what alameda has done. if you haven't already, i would ask them when their t

the doctor's note, the prescription medication, and the girlfriend. >>> and the saga is over. the murder conviction, just overturned for amanda knox. she will not be sent back. >>> the deadly explosion, the search for survivors. authorities reveal early signs of the culprit. >>> federal charges tonight, the police officer indicted after this takedown of an indian man. after a neighbor reports a suspicious man in the neighborhood. he was a grandfather visiting his family. >>> and the drivers think they're teaching a regular student, but they have no idea she's a professional racer. >>> good evening, we begin with two breaking stories. amanda knox and the murder conviction overturned. there will be no extradition to italy. and we're in her hometown in seattle in just a moment. >>> but first, new evidence in the jet that went down. the co-pilot, and what we've just learned about him. this new image of him running in germany. part of his flight training here in the u.s. investigators finding a note from his doctor saying he was too sick to work. at the crash site, the remains bein

bill was introduced that would allow terminally ill californians to end their lives with prescription medication. supporters included the family of brittany maynard, the woman who had to move to oregon to carry out her wish. laura anthony joins us from the state capital. >> reporter: hi cheryl. britney's family unveiled this new video aimed directly at lawmakers here in sacramento. and while she is seen calmly stating her case, this is certainly an issue that stirs deep emotion. >> i many aheartbroken that i had to leave behind my home my community and my friends in california. >> reporter: they are the words of a terminally ill young woman,ment to make a lasting impression long after her death. >> i am dying and i refuse to lose my dignity. i refuse to subject myself and my family to purposeless, prolonged pain and suffering at the hands of an incurable disease. >> reporter: this video testimony from brittany maynard was made 18 days before she chose to ending her her life, with medication prescribed for that purpose in oregon. >> she took a stand and she said, oh mama, i hope that other people

the items were stolen electronics and prescription medications investigators the don't know how the burglaruse. <

we allow for prescription medication. that is if you have this and there's testimony and people come forward and say this is the only thing that works, okay but follow the protocol. the normal medical protocol and get a prescription. that seems to us to make sense. you have 200000 medical marijuana users in colorado and a lot of people think that there are chiropractors writing these permissions. we don't know the content. we don't know what to expect before. i know this sounds like big government but at the end of the day when you put stuff into your body you would like some reassurance that someone is testing it. particularly something that goes down into your lungs. and you may get mad at the fda but i think you would like an inspection. >> yes. >> it's drawing lines. one of the factors what else is available? how much harm can it do [inaudible] >> it all depends. it depends on the nature of the harm. the people want to also [inaudible] they want to find those drug cartels. a lot of times they are exporting large amount

i learned how much medications cost and had to decide on picking up my prescriptions are paying my monthly bills. there were medicines that i couldn't go without in order to prevent another hospitalization. medical bills started piling up and before i knew it i was $10,000 in debt. in the fall of 2011 i managed to get a staph infection in my knee. i begged and pleaded with the emergency room doctor to let me go home. i told them i can afford this just let me go. he let me go home four days later. i went home and waited for the bills to come. i cried when i saw the totaling cash in my 401(k) to pay it off. at this point i decided i had no choice so i stopped in employment with the collections law firm even knowing that wasn't my cup of tea. they're insurance sure was. unfortunately however in 22013 that company downsized and i lost my job and the health insurance that went with it. fortunately this time around my search for individual coverage was very different. thanks to the affordable care act is about the on line application and chose a plan. i thought the insurance company was playing

we allow for prescription medication of marijuana. hat is if you have this case of the testimony people come forward and say it's the only thing that worked. okay but then follow a protocol following normal medical protocol and get a prescription and if nothing else works etc. etc. and that seems to us to make sense. but you have 200,000 medical marijuana quote users in toronto, a lot of people think it's a the work of ten or 15 chiropractors writing these permission slips. we don't know the content, we don't know the advertised content, what it is destined for. i know this sounds like big government, but at the end of the day when you put stuff into could stuff into your body you would like some reassurance somebody has tested it out and that it's okay particularly something that goes down into your lungs. you may get mad at the fda but you want and fda, don't you? we need inspection. i don't want it to be crazy but it's growing lines. one of the factors you cite it what else is available how much harm is this doing and what are the r

we allow for the prescription medication of marijuana. that is if you have this case that there is testimony people come forward and say it's the only thing that works and relieves pain. okay then follow that can follow the protocol. follow the normal protocol and get a prescription. nothing else will work etc.. that seems to make sense. you have 200000 medical marijuana users in colorado. a lot of people think that it's the work of ten or 15 writing these slips. we don't know the content. we didn't know the purity is or what it is tested for. i know this sounds like big government but at the end of the day you put stuff in your body you would like some reassurance that somebody's tested it out and that's okay particularly something that goes down into your lungs. >> guest: it would be crazy. but it's drawing lines and one of the factors are the ones cited. what else is available and how much harm is this doing. >> host: that is a decision you don't trust the state equivalent to look at and you think it has to be the federal drug enforcem

we allow for prescription medication of marijuana. if you had this case there is testimony. eople come forward and say it's the only thing that works. the only thing that relieves pain. following protocol on a normal medical protocol and get a prescription and satisfy that nothing else will work it better, et cetera. that seems to us to make sense. you have 200,000 medical marijuana users in colorado. a lot of people think it's the work of 10 or 15 chiropractors writing this permission slips. we don't other content. with another. he is or what it's testing for. i know this sounds like big government, but at the end of the day when you put stuff in your body, you would like some of these tests particularly some thing -- you may get mad at the fda but i think you want in fda, don't you? you want to be crazy. but one of the factors, the ones you'd say what else is available, how much harm is this doing what are the risks of taking it, what are the risks of not seeking a? that's a decision that don't trust the state equivalent to look at. it has to be the federal drug report. >>

why child-proof caps on prescription medications may be anything but. >> we'll go for a ride.flying high with the air force's one and only thunder birds for a first hand look at precisely how it is they pull off those incredible stunts. >> looking forward to that. all right. that and much more when we see you right here on "today". >> great, thanks. a grandma is found guilty in the death of oh her grand daughter. the alabama jury that convicted joyce harden gerard will decide her punishment. she's accused of running her grand daughter to death. she made the young girl run for three hours in the yard as a punishment for lying about eat ing candy. savannah gerard died that evening. her grandmother could face the death sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. a walmart store in maryland is back to business as usual after being evacuated after someone called asking about bomb-making materials. the investigators say someone called the story in california and wanted to know if they sold supplies to make bombs. officers evacuated the store and k-9 units swept as

trust something that's expired. >> while some medications can lose potency over time, one study from the fd a and lies dollars 122 over the counter and prescription drugs and found 88% extended at least one year beyond their original expiration date. >> pills coated tend to last longer among the medications retain effective necessary past expiration include stomach remedies, sleep aids, and antihistamines. >> lots of people with colds congestion so these de john jest taints going to last over time? >> they will. >> but there are some medications that don't last aspirin, its active ingredient breaks down quickly and creates a slightly vinegar-like odor. others that should never be taken past expiration, antibiotics, epinephrine drugs in liquid form, and prescriptions for chronic conditions. >> it might not work as well to control your blood pressure, or if you have diabetes not work as well to control your blood sugars, that's where it can cause some harm. >> whether or not drugs lose their effectiveness depends a lot on how they're storedment experts say heat and humidity will cause medications to breakdown. that's you why should always keep them

why those childproof caps on your prescription medications may be anything but. >>> we'll take a ridethis morning, rosemary, we'll fly high with the air force and one and only thunderbirds. we'll be giving you a firsthand look at how it is they pull off those incredible death defying stunts. >> all that and much more when we see you, right here on "today." >> pretty sweet. we'll see you in just a little bit at 7:00. >> thanks rosemary. >>> 76ers great allen iverson says he wants to be back with the team not on the basketball court. he's talking about broadcasting. the retired star stopped by the sixers broadcast booth during wednesday's win over the pistons. a.i. said he wants to work in the team's front office as a talent manager. he says he's the perfect person to evaluate talent and toughness in new players. >>> what a sixers game last night. the best game of nerlens noel's rookie season. he becomes the youngest player in nba history with 2 points, 13 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 blocks in a game. wow, what a dunk. nerlens stole the show and the ball right here. then he's going to run

researchers looked at 8,000 people and found those who eat an apple a day take fewer prescription medications professional. >>> t.s.a. tips exposed the three behaviors they watch for in security line that can slow down your trip or make you a target. >> from watching tv to being wanted, "consumer reports" pans -- partners with "7 on your side" on how family time can turn >>> live from the kgo-tv broadcast center this is abc7 news. >>> at 6:00, more questions than answers, after a fire destroyed four homes under construction in dublin. the added factors that gave firefighter as run for their money. >> making plans for a final farewell, what we are lending of the sane off for a san jose police officer killed in the line of duty. >> making the statement in the face of controversy, the growing push for indiana to change a law that many say is discriminating. >> thanks for joining us on tuesday. a lot is going on. >> leyla gulen alongside looking at traffic and meteorologist mike nicco is here with the weather. >> we will talk about the breeds. they are gusting up to 50 miles per hour through the

visits or overnight hospital stays but apple eaters had slightly higher odds of avoiding prescription medications. >>> from history to culture. philadelphia boasts a diverse mix of people and backgrounds but when it comes to what its residents make a new study shows there's not much to brag about. why income across philadelphia is so unequal. >>> and the phillies home opener is now just one week away. this season there's something new you'll see before you ever step foot in the ballpark. the security changes you need to know about. >>> a live look at citizens bank park. nbc10 will air the phillies' home opener one week from today. before fans can see the home team action, they have to go through a new layer of stadium security, going through metal detectors at every gate. the phillies tested out the new policy at the end of last year as part of a pilot program. fans will have to take out their cell phones, cameras and keys from their pockets. they won't have to take off their belts or shoes. security will still check purses and bags. >> all 30 clubs are doing this this year. even when our fans tr

university of michigan says apple eaters did appear to be significantly more likely to avoid prescription medications curiously, the link was stronger for people who consumed small or medium-sized apple than for large apples. >>> early morning dance parties taking off in the u.s. daybreakers as they are known attract young people to dance parties without alcohol. the idea is to get exercise as well as socialize. they cost about $ 5 and usually start around -- $25 and usually start around 8:00 a.m. here's to your health. >> all right. >>> time to check on the weather. >> let's go outside. spencer christian has the forecast. blustery out there. >> it is a little blustery. a healthy dose of winds. clear skies, sunny skies. winds have been gusting up to 40 miles per hour at sfo. as you see, flags flapping in the breeze across the street from our kgo roof cam. it's still windy all around the bay area. these are the forecast pictures. gusty winds tonight. sunny and breezy again tomorrow. we'll have calmer and milder conditions on thursday and friday. the satellite/radar composite shows the passage of the d

. >> reporter: it is a powerful prescription pain medication coming in pill form. some drug abusers crush them and shoot them for a faster and stronger high. the center more disease control calls it a deadly epidemic. the city says one of the best ways to stop it spreading is through needle change programs. now he says the epidemic calls for drastic measures and is calling for a 30 day programme. >> the state of indiana is bringing the full resources to the country. >> dr cook runs is a medical clinic that will treat patients with h.i.v. thank you for joining us. poverty, unemployment drug use, not exclusive for scott county. why is there an uptick in that area. >> they are the ingredients that lead to a problem like this. >> we had a patient zero come in and share dirty needles with the friends, spreading the disease there. >> do you think the disease is exclusive to people using drugs or has it spread beyond the drug using community. that is not the concern to spread in other ways across the country. >> aside from declaring a state of emergency. the governor orde

note from a doctor determining lubitz was too sick to work on the day of the crash, and prescriptions for medications, also trashed. prosecutors summing up the shocking findings lufthansa didn't know. "the deceased hid his illness from his employer and colleagues." prosecutors say lubitz locked the pilot out of the cockpit, programmed the descent and intentionally slammed the plane into an alpine ridge at 400 miles an hour on tuesday, killing all 150 on board. just two weeks ago the copilot was being treated at a hospital for conditions unknown. a person familiar with the investigation told "the wall street journal" that lubitz was being treated for depression and was worried that the airline would find out about his illness. german media reporting that the copilot suffered burn-out or depression, leading to an extended absence during his pilot training in 2009. christine negroni, aviation safety expert, said she was at the same arizona flight program as lubitz five years ago. >> it is not unheard of for pilots to keep from their employers medical conditions that they feel might ground them. it's one

. >> a powerful prescription pain medication that comes in pill form.some drug abusers crush the pills and shoot them intravenously for a faster high. they call painkiller abuse a deadly national epidemic. the cdc said one of the best ways to stop hiv from spreading is the needle exchange program. now the epidemic calls for draysic measures. >> it's giving full resources of giving the local community what they need to get the job done. >> first hiv clinic will open in scott county tomorrow in an effort to stop new cases. dietary supplement giant gnc is promising sweeping changes to improve the quality of its products. new york's attorney general accused gnc and three other major retailers of selling contaminateed supplements. it's not clear if those other retailers, walgreen's, walmart and target, will also make changes. coming up on al jazeera america the recent court edition is questioning gender equality in the tech industry. >> i think we're into something that's bigger than us... >> that's the pain that your mother feels when you disrespect her son

when you said you need to make sure patients can access new medications and treatments, coming out of the nih to combat prescription drug abuse, i completely agree with that. but right now regulations for medication therapy for opioid addiction prevent this and only push to medications -- two medications. what is the nih doing to make sure that patients can access these medications? >> thank you very much for your question. for us to succeed, we have to work in partnership with our sister agencies. we have mechanisms by which we actually bring together researchers and clinicians to ensure developments in this case in the area of medications for opioid addiction are implemented in the treatment setting. having said that, they are always a problem, in terms of ensuring that patients have access to these medications. i have made this point before including the need to make sure the insurance iss will cover them. there was also medication developed through them eight with very good outcomes and as of now we know that not only has this medication been effective in treating substance abuse they are effective in preventin

more with the hair there and the beauty salon thing sounds good, but she's filling fake prescriptions, cancer medications at pharmacies. you know, i'm not a mathemetician mathematician but 2 and 2 is 4. you know what i mean? >>> coming up, deanna collins tries to adjust to life in max and receives a surprise visitor. >> she was caught on the surveillance camera and we were able to get a good picture of her hairstyle. >> and -- >> the shooting in hackensack was very unusual. very rarely have we had a shooting of a cop. >> the hackensack police shooting becomes the talk of the jail. >> hackensack is a peaceful, quiet town. the last time we had a shooting in hackensack was 12 years ago. : amopé and its premium foot care line. the new amopé pedi perfect foot file gives you soft beautiful feet effortlessly. its microlumina rotating head buffs away hard skin even on those hard-to-reach spots. it's amazing. you can see it and feel it. my new must-have for soft, beautiful feet. amopé pedi perfect. >>> behind the walls of the bergen county jail, much of the talk over the past week has had to do with an inmate who

and closing what closing what we call the doughnut hole to allow seniors to get lower cost prescription medications, we looked at things like overpayments, medicare advantage has a role to play but i remember asking the budget office at the time if we cap the payments for medicare advantage at 150% of what doctors and hospitals receive through the direct medicare program, would there be any

secondly, i'm interested to hear about recent efforts regarding the abuse of prescription medications. as you well know, that has been characterized by your colleagues at cdc as a national epidemic. i understand that you are partnering with nine major pharmaceutical companies to evaluate the risks associated with the long-term use of open your rates -- of opioids for the management of pain. if there are non-opioid treatments for pain, we need to know about it and doctors need to be educated about them. i'm hoping you will update us about the science for abuse deterrent medications. it is remarkable that oxycontin, the drug that caused so much difficulty, and still is, but mostly back five or six years ago -- the drug was changed to make it abuse deterrent. you cannot crush it. you cannot sort it. you cannot inject it. it still retains all the good qualities of relieving pain over an extended time. that is what can be done to stem the use of opioids, and i commend you for it. in addition to our land -- our long-standing struggles with drug addiction and abuse the research provided by n

and closing what closing what we call the doughnut hole to allow seniors to get lower cost prescription medications, we looked at things like overpayments, medicare advantage has a role to play but i remember asking the budget office at the time if we cap the payments for medicare advantage at 150% of what doctors and hospitals receive through the direct medicare program, would there be any savings and they said yes. so there was such a huge overpayment going on, 85% of seniors going through traditional medicare 15% through the private insurance market and the amount of money going at that time to private insurance market was hugely overpaid compared to everybody else and most seniors then were picking up the costs system of point is, we put some caps on overpayment that have saved dollars. and that in fact have gone back into making sure seniors can receive prescription drugs by closing the doughnut hole by getting a wellness visit every year without out of pocket cost, and other things. while we have to look at this amendment, i would say to my friend from alabama that i come from a very differen