A recent filing in a Massachusetts lawsuit against Purdue Pharma brings to light internal documents from the company that showcase the company new about the risks of OxyContin abuse for much longer than was previously thought.
What is the lawsuit claiming?
Massachusetts State Attorney General Maura Healy filed the lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company according to an article posted in the Boston Globe. The Attorney General claims that Purdue Pharma contributed significantly to the opioid epidemic facing the country. In the filing, Ms. Healy commented on how the company focused their intentions on “hammer[ing] Massachusetts families in every way possible.”
What do the documents show?
The internal documents show that the Sackler family who owns Purdue Pharma which developed OxyContin used their resources to misinform both doctors and patients about the negative effects that came with taking the drug (ie: addiction). The filing has an email from Mr. Richard Sackler back in 2001 when he was president of the company from an article posted by the New York Times. In his e-mail he counseled that the company had “to hammer on abusers in every way possible…they are the culprits and the problem. They are reckless criminals.”
Is this kind of lawsuit new for the company?
No – Purdue Pharma has faced many similar lawsuits over the years over claims that their drug caused the deaths of numerous individuals.
I have been injured by the use of OxyCotin or know a loved one who has. What are my options?
Contact our office at (303) 327-9988 to schedule a free consultation and speak with one of our highly experienced attorneys. Please also visit our pharmaceutical practice area page here for additional information.
