Former president Donald Trump was highly critical of opioid drug manufacturers. He wanted to shed more light on their role in the opioid crisis. The rise in prescription opioids has drawn the attention lawmakers across the country. Opioid prescriptions were 219 million in 2011; this was nearly triple the number reported 20 years earlier despite the fact the level of pain felt by Americans may not have increased proportionately. Others believe opioid manufacturers may have aggressively marketed these drugs to doctors without properly describing the risk.
Drug overdoses represent the largest cause of accidental deaths in the United States; they recently surpassed car accidents. Many believe the rise in drug overdoses has been driven by the use of prescription opioids. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2016, the number of drug overdoses were 64,000, up 23% Y/Y and more than twice the 23,518 reported in 2002. In 2002, opioid prescription drug overdoses were 32% of total drug overdoses. That figure increased to 43% in 2015, and 59% in 2016. Opioid prescription overdoses continue to hit record highs even after the government’s concerted efforts to reduce them.
Endo has been rapidly striking opioid deals, yet the stock trades as if the company is about to go bankrupt. Short sellers have punished the stock to the point where the valuation is nonsensical. Endo has struck deals with some of the largest states – New York, Texas and Florida – and a few large counties in California. A pathway to a global settlement appears available. That said, the company also struck an opioid deal with Alabama in secret; the details were not revealed until a month later.
While the company has settled the lion’s share of its opioid exposures, Endo’s stock has cratered. ENDP broke the book in May after a loss of exclusivity for Vasostrict, disappointing earnings, and chatter about debt restructuring. That said, ENDP caught a bid after a major catalyst emerged. Hold on to your hats. ENDP could go parabolic. Read more:
