[:en]According to the Denver Post and other news outlets, the State of Colorado is just another one of the latest states to file a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, which is the pharmaceutical company behind the potent prescription painkiller Oxycotin. The lawsuit was filed on the grounds that the company has violated state consumer protection law. Colorado joins North Carolina and New Jersey who have also filed lawsuits in their states against the drug company within the past year. State of Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman alleged that the company has only fueled the opioid problem within the state due to the “fraudulent and deceptive marketing of prescription opioids.”
From data gathered from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment around 1,012 Coloradans died due to drug overdoses in 2017, and 373 of those cases were attributed to the use of prescription painkillers. In the previous year, 912 people passed away due to drug poisoning, with 300 deaths linked to the use of painkillers. In total 35 percent and 33 percent of all total drug overdose deaths in Colorado for the years 2017 and 2016 were a result of the misuse of opioids respectively.
Unfortunately, this crisis has hit not only Colorado but has turned into a national problem as well. State attorneys have turned to file lawsuits (like the one discussed above) against the drug manufacturers who are marketing and creating these medications. In addition, other lawsuits have been filed against the companies on the grounds that they are at fault for the rising numbers of overdoses and deaths due to the use of these medications. The hope in filing these claims is to reach a settlement that will allow state governments to use the funds towards various initiatives and resources that will help communities fight the ongoing epidemic such as medical care, therapy and counseling, and other treatment methods.
If you or a loved one have been affected by Oxycotin or other prescription opioids please contact our office at (303) 327-9988 to schedule a free consultation and speak with one of our experienced attorneys. You may also visit our practice area page on pharmaceuticals for more information.[:]
