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Lawsuits continue against drug company

On Behalf of | Jun 9, 2019 | Drug Charges

Across the nation and in South Carolina, too many people continue to struggle with the challenges of drug addiction. This serious health problem often contributes to and is associated with criminal activity as good people are fueled to take steps that may be illegal in order to feed their addictions. For many of these people, their drug addictions can be linked to legal, prescription medications. Opioids are a type of drug used generally to control serious pain but, over the years, the prescribing of these drugs has spiraled out of control.

As reported by CNBC, an estimated 218,000 people lost their lives due to drug overdoses connected with opioid drugs between 1999 and 2017. One of the opioid drugs that many assert has been over-prescribed is OxyContin. This drug was first introduced in 1996 and is manufactured by Pharma Purdue.

Today, South Carolina is one of 48 states that, in conjunction with the District of Columbia, is suing not only the company Pharma Purdue but its owners as well. The crux of the lawsuits is the responsibility on behalf of the drug company and its owners for the opioid crisis and associated deaths. It is alleged that the marketing tactics used led and even actively encouraged health care professionals to prescribe higher-than-necessary doses of OxyContin.

In addition, the lawsuits assert that Pharma Purdue and its owners were not completely forthright about the risks associated with the use of OxyContin, specifically the risk of developing an addiction to the drug. Maine and Nebraska are the only two states not suing the company so far.