DALLAS – On Aug. 14, the national law firm of Baron & Budd announced that they have filed lawsuits against the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distributors for their role in the widespread diversion of prescription opiates for nonmedical purposes.
The Ohio county plaintiffs allege in the suits that three Fortune 500 pharmaceutical distributors – Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, and McKesson Corp. – each played a role in creating a public nuisance by failing to regulate orders of prescription opiates.
“It’s not a secret that communities across this country are struggling to combat an opioid crisis that’s overwhelming hospitals, law enforcement agencies and social services organizations. But what’s rarely discussed is who is responsible for creating this epidemic,” said Baron & Budd shareholder, Burton LeBlanc. “The pharmaceutical distribution industry flooded our country with these dangerous drugs for decades, and now it’s incumbent on cities, counties and states to combat and abate the public nuisance these companies have caused.”
The counties are seeking damages to cover the costs of services including, but not limited to: medical care and treatment for patients suffering from opioid-related addiction or disease; treatment of infants born with opioid-related medical conditions; costs associated with caring for children whose parents suffer from opioid addiction; and law enforcement and public safety services related to the opioid epidemic.