Pharma Companies Facing Another Opioid Lawsuit in Arkansas
by Erin Shaak
Last Updated on May 8, 2018
Drew Memorial Hospital, Inc v. Purdue Pharma L.P. et al.
Filed: January 16, 2018 ◆§ 5:18-cv-00010
A group of pharmaceutical companies is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that claims the defendants, since the 1990s, have misled doctors and patients regarding the risks associated with using opioids to treat chronic pain.
Mckesson Corporation Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. Actavis Pharma, Inc. Johnson & Johnson Purdue Pharma, LP Purdue Pharma, Inc. The Purdue Frederick Company, Inc. Cephalon, Inc. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Endo Health Solutions, Inc. Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Actavis, Inc. Actavis LLC Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Watson Laboratories, Inc. Watson Pharma, Inc. Cardinal Health Inc. Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc.
Arkansas
A group of pharmaceutical companies is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that claims the defendants, since the 1990s, have misled doctors and patients regarding the risks associated with using opioids to treat chronic pain. From the complaint:
“[The defendants] falsely and misleadingly… (1) downplayed the serious risk of addition; (2) promoted the concept of ‘pseudoaddiction’ and thus advocated that the signs of addiction should be treated with more opioids; (3) exaggerated the effectiveness of screening tools in preventing addiction; (4) claimed that opioid dependence and withdrawal are easily managed; (5) denied the risks of higher opioid dosages; and (6) exaggerated the effectiveness of ‘abuse-deterrent’ opioid formulations to prevent abuse and addiction.”
The case claims the defendants’ alleged scheme was “wildly successful” and “helped unleash a healthcare crisis” that has led to opioids becoming the most prescribed class of drugs and the “main source” of unintentional drug overdoses in the state of Arkansas.
The suit was originally filed in Arkansas state court but has been removed to federal court.
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