At least 26 states have already sought to pursue legal action against Purdue over the opioid crisis. Purdue Pharma is responsible for creating OxyContin and they're facing significant criticism for their distribution and advertising tactics.
It's alleged that Purdue had previously downplayed the risks of opioid medication.
Some of the states that have joined in on the legal action against Purdue are Virginia, Utah, Texas, Nevada, and New York. They've already settled with at least 2 states as well. Purdue also isn't the only opioid manufacturer that's being sued over the problem.
Other manufacturers who are being sued:
- Endo Pharmaceuticals
- Johnson & Johnson
- Allergan
- Cephalon
Some of the distributors who are being sued are AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health. Distributors have been accused of failing to report on suspicious orders that were placed, calling for an inordinate amount of prescriptions.
These opioid lawsuits are expected to become the largest civil litigation settlement in the history of the United States.
Facing the growing legal troubles, Purdue has recently suggested that they might opt for bankruptcy as a result because overall, just like Monsanto, they're facing thousands of lawsuits.
Purdue has denied the allegations against them, asserting that they had FDA approval on the warning labels for their product.
If they do file for bankruptcy that could halt the lawsuits and Purdue could then negotiate the legal claims with plaintiffs under supervision of a bankruptcy judge. The filing could help to lessen or even potentially eradicate the damages that they might be forced to pay out.
Purdue has previously been sued by dozens of states for the same issues, allegations over misleading marketing tactics, and the company has previously agreed to cease employing those illegal marketing tactics. But marketing materials allegedly show, as well as conversations that sales reps have had with doctors, that Purdue wrongfully continued to downplay the addictive nature of the product.
The first upcoming trial to result from the thousands that have been launched against Purdue and other drug companies, is expected to begin this May. That lawsuit is being brought forward by the Oklahoma attorney general.
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