Oklahoma Sues Opioid Painkiller Makers -- 2nd Update
30 Juin 2017 - 11:05PM
Dow Jones News
By Jeanne Whalen
Oklahoma became the latest state to file a lawsuit against
opioid painkiller makers, alleging they caused widespread addiction
by misrepresenting the benefits and addictive risks of their
drugs.
The lawsuit, filed in state court, targets the parent companies
and subsidiaries of Purdue Pharma L.P., Johnson & Johnson, Teva
Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Allergan PLC.
"Over a period of several years, defendants executed massive and
unprecedented marketing campaigns through which they misrepresented
the risks of addiction from their opioids and touted
unsubstantiated benefits," the lawsuit alleges. "The damage
defendants' false and deceptive marketing campaigns caused to the
state of Oklahoma is catastrophic." The state is seeking damages
and penalties to compensate it for costs related to addiction.
Purdue, which sells the painkiller OxyContin, said: "While we
vigorously deny the allegations in the complaint, we share the
attorney general's concerns about the opioid crisis and we are
committed to working collaboratively to find solutions."
Johnson & Johnson, whose subsidiary Janssen sells the opioid
drug Duragesic, said: "We recognize opioid abuse is a serious
public health issue that must be addressed. At the same time, we
firmly believe Janssen has acted responsibly and in the best
interests of patients and physicians."
Allergan, which sells the painkillers Kadian and Norco, said "it
has a history of supporting -- and continues to support -- the
safe, responsible use of prescription medications," including
opioids and said the drugs "play an appropriate role in pain relief
for millions of Americans" when used correctly.
Teva, which sells the opioid drugs Actiq and Fentora, said it is
"committed to the appropriate promotion and use of opioids."
Oklahoma's lawsuit follows similar suits filed by Mississippi,
Ohio and Missouri, of opioids."
The state lawsuits come amid mounting public concern over opioid
addiction, which has helped drive U.S. overdose rates to all-time
highs.
Many people became addicted by taking powerful opioid
painkillers and often progressed to heroin if they couldn't get
access to pills. Public-health officials have long blamed
aggressive company marketing and lax prescribing for sparking the
crisis.
Write to Jeanne Whalen at jeanne.whalen@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 30, 2017 16:50 ET (20:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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