Washington Post Wins Right to Access DEA’s Opioid Database

A Drug Enforcement Administration database containing detailed information about the flow of opioids through the U.S. will be made available to The Washington Post and HD Media Co., the Sixth Circuit said June 20.

The DEA failed to show “good cause” for keeping the database confidential, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said, reversing a trial court.

Nearly 1,300 states, counties, and others are plaintiffs in litigation against drug manufacturers, distributors, and sellers related to the opioid crisis. Those plaintiffs requested access to the DEA’s ARCOS database, “an automated, comprehensive drug reporting system which monitors the flow ...