Monday, February 6, 2017

Upstate NY Counties Sue Opioid Makers for 'Deceptive' Marketing of Addictive Drugs

 
By Tribune News Service

Erie County's lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies represents the first of many expected from other New York State counties angry about "misleading" and "deceptive" marketing of addictive painkillers.

The drug manufacturers called Erie County's lawsuit "factually unfounded."

The lawyer representing Erie County said Suffolk and Broome counties already filed suits, and many other counties are likely to follow.

"Given the breadth of this problem, I would be very surprised if, at some point or another, we are not contacted -- if not hired -- by virtually all of the 62 counties in the state," said attorney Paul J. Hanly. Hanly is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy, a law firm with six offices across the country and a track record for taking on the drug makers.

Parents of overdose victims praised Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz for going after the drug companies he likened to corner drug dealers.

Debra Smith, whose son died of an overdose after becoming addicted to painkillers prescribed by his doctor, said the suit will keep drug manufacturers from misleading well-intended physicians in the future.

"This is a healing moment for many families because we realize our children will no longer be addicted by a source that we trust," she said. 

Click here for the full article.

Source: Syracuse.com (via The Empire Report)

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