Lafayette, Jeff Davis, Cenla sheriffs' suits against pharma companies allege fraud, deception in the

[Sunlei]

Source: ABC

Lafayette, Jeff Davis, Cenla sheriffs' suits against pharma companies allege fraud, deception in the name of profit



LAFAYETTE -
The makers of opioids like OxyContin, Percocet and fentanyl are the target of four Louisiana sheriffs' separate lawsuits that blame those companies for today's opioid epidemic, alleging the companies knew their products were addictive and ineffective but instead spread disinformation to protect — and grow — their profits

Meanwhile, opioid use and addiction has increased health care costs and social problems in Louisiana — where in 2015 there were more opioid prescriptions written than there were residents — and drug overdoses in the state "are now the leading cause of injury death in Louisiana, surpassing motor-vehicle related deaths," the suit claims.

Citing the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office, the suit claims 71 percent of accidental deaths in the parish in 2016 included opioids. And citing Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s stats, about 80 percent of inmates in the parish jail are substance abusers, including of opioid pain medications.

The suit alleges the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office has had to spend “significant sums that would not have otherwise been spent in its efforts to combat the public nuisance” created by the companies’ “deceptive marketing campaign.” The suit requests restitution, damages, “disgorgement,” civil penalties, attorney’s fees, costs and expenses, injunctive relief and any other relief to which they may be entitled.


Read more: http://www.katc.com/story/36405706/lafayette-jeff-davis-cenla-sheriffs-suits-against-pharma-companies-allege-fraud-deception-in-the-name-of-profit

[Warpy]

1. Several states are also suiing them.

Those drugs were great at producing dependency, not so great for acute pain control. Docs were afraid to prescribe short acting opioids so their patients could wean down safely, thanks to the DEA leaning on them. The patients turned to street drugs. And there is the current opioid crisis, in a nutshell.

So what is Jefferson Asshole Bearegard Fuckwit Sessions doing about it? He's treating pain patients like outlaws and drug addicts, that's what. Way to go, you fucking troll.

[Sunlei]

2. any Doctors even routinely help their patients wean down after necessary pain medicine treatment?

Doctors have to know some drugs are addictive, need increasing dosage to be effective against pain and make people very ill if they're cut off cold turkey.

[Warpy]

3. Methadone clinics are the only alternative

and there are damned few of those around these days and certainly not outside the big cities.

[7962]

4. I have 2 friends who cannot get by without these drugs.

Criminalizing the medicine is NOT going to help them. One has severe headaches as the result of an electrocution years ago. These pills are the only thing that works for him and keeps him functional. But he only takes them when needed.
Go after the doctors who over prescribe. Have all states in a pharmacy registry to stop multiple prescription filling & doctor shopping