State Suit Against Purdue Pharma Not Like City Of Everett’s

Today Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed suit against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma accusing them of fueling the opioid epidemic in Washington state, embarking on a massive deceptive marketing campaign and convincing doctors and the public that their drugs are effective for treating chronic pain and have a low risk of addiction, contrary to overwhelming evidence. The suit says deceptive marketing resulted in the deaths of Washingtonians and devastation to Washington families.

Earlier this year the City of Everett sued Purdue Pharma to hold them responsible for “knowingly, recklessly, and/or negligently supplying OxyContin to obviously suspicious physicians and pharmacies and enabling the illegal diversion of OxyContin into the black market, including to drug rings, pill mills and other dealers for dispersal of the highly addictive pills in Everett.”

Brionna Aho, a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office tells MyEverettNews.com the State’s suit is different as Everett’s suit is related to very specific issues and the state’s lawsuit covers conduct throughout the entire state.

Ferguson’s lawsuit seeks civil penalties and damages. Ferguson also asks the court to order Purdue to give up the profits it made in Washington as a result of its illegal conduct. Sales of Purdue opioids are worth billions every year nationwide, and Washington’s portion is expected to be in the millions.

On Monday a judge ruled that Everett’s suit can move forward against Purdue. You can see the City of Everett’s lawsuit and updates on its progress here. Everett is seeking unspecified damages.

In addition to the State the City of Seattle also announced a suit against Purdue and other makers of opioids. You can see highlights of that lawsuit in a press release here from Attorney General Ferguson.