Attorneys representing Camden County filed a lawsuit Wednesday against drugmakers and drug distributors for the companies' alleged roles in perpetuating the opioid crisis in New Jersey, according to nj.com.
The suit is similar to those filed by more than 360 states, counties and municipalities, which accuse drug companies of engaging in deceptive marketing techniques to promote the widespread use of opioids.
Uniquely, the Camden County lawsuit not only lists Purdue Pharma as a defendant, but takes aim at company stakeholders, as well. The lawsuit names former Purdue President Richard Sackler, and the estates of brothers Raymond and Mortimer Sackler, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit accuses the Sackler family of engaging in a racketeering scheme related to the dissemination of opioids throughout the nation, according to nj.com.
"These people are no different than members of a drug cartel that distribute drugs illegally, or the drug pushers on our streets who push heroin and fentanyl on a daily basis," said Louis Cappelli, Jr., freeholder director of Camden County, according to nj.com. "They have earned millions of dollars over the years at the expense of the American public."
In a statement emailed to Becker's Hospital Review, John Puskar, spokesman for Purdue Pharma, said the company denies the allegations.
"We are deeply troubled by the prescription and illicit opioid abuse crisis, and are dedicated to being part of the solution," Mr. Puskar said. "As a company grounded in science, we must balance patient access to FDA-approved medicines, while working collaboratively to solve this public health challenge."
Other defendants named in the lawsuit include Abbott Laboratories, Cephalon, Teva Pharmaceutical, Endo International, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Insys Therapeutics and Mallinckrodt, according to nj.com.
More articles on opioids:
11 states, DC lack enough certified prescribers to meet opioid addiction treatment demands
How New Jersey's busiest ED slashed opioid prescriptions by 58%
Independence Blue Cross removes cost sharing from naloxone treatment