Painkillers

Some doctors' manuals from the 19th century do list Lactuca virosa as a pain reliever, but there's little evidence that it works.

• By Francie Diep

The answer involves both biology and economics, but the opioid crisis is forcing us to consider investing more in pain research.

• By Michael White

Endo Pharmaceuticals appears to be preparing its opposition to the FDA's request.

• By Francie Diep

Too often, Americans with painful medical conditions who misuse pain pills like Oxycontin are denied further treatment and even prosecuted. There are more effective, enlightened responses—as the U.K. has shown for decades.

• By Maia Szalavitz

How the American opiate epidemic was started by one pharmaceutical company.

• By Mike Mariani