International pharmaceutical companies are facing an ongoing backlash through numerous lawsuits stemming from the opioid crisis. The latest is US drugmarker Endo International PLC, which has agreed to pay $65m to settle all Florida governmental opioid-related cases and claims, preventing pending claims against the specialty pharmaceutical company from going to trial.
A Jurist report says Endo highlighted that the “settlement includes no admission of wrongdoing, fault or liability of any kind by Endo or its subsidiaries”. Upon paying the settlement amount, Endo and two of its subsidiaries, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Endo Health Solutions Inc., will fully resolve Florida’s pending opioid-related claims. Endo will continue litigating other claims not covered by this settlement agreement.
In another case, last month a New York jury found opioid manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals liable for public nuisance after it inundated the state with pills, killing thousands of people. Prior to that, the Oklahoma Supreme Court reversed a $465m verdict against Johnson & Johnson for public nuisance through its statewide prescription opioid marketing campaign. And last year Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges for its marketing of OxyContin and other opioid products, admitting its tactics contributed to the nation’s opioid epidemic.
Jurist article – Pharmaceutical company agrees to settle Florida opioid case for $65M (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Opioid crisis – New pain drugs may lower overdose, addiction risks
Purdue boss: Family wants protection from OxyContin litigation
OxyContin maker Purdue settles $270m opioid lawsuit
Oklahoma judge rules J&J intentionally played down opioid dangers
Florida sues drugstores Walgreens, CVS for alleged role in opioid crisis