Missouri Files Its Own Suit Against Opioid-Painkiller Producers
June 21 2017 - 12:35PM
Dow Jones News
By Jeanne Whalen
Missouri became the latest state to file a lawsuit against
opioid-painkiller companies, alleging they helped create an
addiction crisis by misrepresenting the risks and benefits of their
drugs.
The lawsuit, filed in state court by Attorney General Joshua
Hawley, targets various parent companies and subsidiaries,
including Purdue Pharma L.P., Johnson & Johnson and Endo
Pharmaceuticals Inc., a unit of Endo International PLC.
The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and punitive damages, saying
opioid addiction and abuse have "destroyed the lives of countless
Missourians and ravaged communities across the state."
Missouri's filing follows similar lawsuits from Ohio and
Mississippi, filed last month and in December 2015,
respectively.
In response to the Missouri lawsuit, Purdue 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."
Endo declined to comment on "current litigation," but said its
"top priorities include patient safety and ensuring that patients
with chronic pain have access to safe and effective therapeutic
options," while "preventing misuse and diversion of opioid
products."
Johnson & Johnson said it "has acted appropriately,
responsibly and in the best interests of patients regarding our
opioid pain medications, which are FDA-approved and carry
FDA-mandated warnings about the known risks of the medications on
every product label."
The Missouri lawsuit involves Purdue's marketing of OxyContin,
Endo's marketing of Percocet and Opana ER, and Johnson &
Johnson's marketing of Duragesic and Nucynta ER.
Write to Jeanne Whalen at jeanne.whalen@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 21, 2017 12:20 ET (16:20 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Endo (NASDAQ:ENDP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
Endo (NASDAQ:ENDP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024