Opioid lawsuits for overuse and addiction

Recently, we’ve seen a greater reliance on drugs from doctors, which include addictive painkillers like opioids. The addiction has been reported as a global epidemic, with the U.S. noting it as “the worst drug epidemic in U.S. history“.

Drug manufacturers and distributors have now found themselves in hot water as a result of the allegations.

At least 25 states in the U.S. have taken legal action against opioid manufacturers for the alleged unprecedented effect it has had on communities across America, and here in the U.K., we’re concerned we may be facing a similar epidemic.

Recent studies suggest there is a rising over-prescription of drugs here in the U.K., and we’re worried that it’s only a matter of time before we face a similar crises as the U.S. is reportedly suffering. According to the Washington Post, at least 25 states, cities and counties have filed civil cases against manufacturers, distributors and large pharmacy chains that make up the opioid industry, which is reportedly worth a monumental $13 billion (£9.8 billion).

It’s thought that the number of lawsuits have grown and will continue to grow as the reported reliance on the drug soars. Recently, the Attorney General for Ohio, Oklahoma, and Missouri, and the District Attorneys for three counties in Tennessee, filed legal action against the industry.

Parallels with the ‘Tobacco Lawsuits’ in the 90s?

Some have noted that these efforts mirror the legal action taken against major players in the tobacco industry in 1998.

Dubbed the ‘Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement’, four major U.S. tobacco players agreed to settle lawsuits in 46 states for the recovery of tobacco-related health-care costs and rising death rates caused by the industry.

Accountability

The Ohio Attorney General is reportedly determined to bring anyone associated with the opioid industry accountable for their alleged wrongdoing. He said:

“If they’re not going to do it voluntarily, we’re going to drag them to the table and make them.”

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee, are examining the industry as well. The Justice Department’s Inspector general is said to be putting pressure on the Drug Enforcement Administration for their alleged lax behaviour against drug distribution companies also.

Unsurprisingly, the opioid industry and their legal representatives have denied any wrongdoing. They’ve noted they’ll join forces with doctors, the industry, and federal and local government agencies.

Statistics

Statistics of such may rebut the claims that the industry ‘is doing no wrong’. The lawsuits are brought on the basis that the apparent drug “epidemic” has supposedly caused 180,000 overdose deaths from 2000 to 2015 in the U.S. The reported opioid addiction has also led to thousands more deaths from overdoses of heroin and fentanyl, according to the Washington Post.

Position in the U.K.

As previously mentioned, the epidemic is said to be global.

NHS Digital figures reveal that opioid painkiller prescriptions have doubled from 12 million to 24 million between 2007 and 2017. According to the Guardian, morphine-related deaths (considered as an opiate) have increased over two-thirds from 2013 to 2015. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed there were 952 deaths involving the substance.

It doesn’t help the situation by the fact that doctors are prescribing the drug at what appears to be an unprecedented rate. Some argue the prescriptions are unnecessary and doctors must undertake thorough examinations prior to making the prescription.

According to reports from the Guardian, doctors note that 192,000 people in Britain may be addicted to the painkiller.