OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a lawsuit Sept. 28 against Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, for allegations of fueling the opioid epidemic through a deceptive marketing campaign.
“Purdue Pharma ignored the devastating consequences of its opioids and profited from its massive deception,” Ferguson said. “It’s time they are held accountable and pay for the devastation they caused.”
According to Ferguson’s office, Purdue Pharma said its product had a low risk of addiction, despite overwhelming evidence showing otherwise. Additionally, Ferguson alleges Purdue did not have evidence to show that OxyContin was even capably effective at treating the chronic pain for which it is marketed.
Purdue’s allegedly deceptive scheme led to billions in profits for the company. Ferguson seeks to have a portion of those profits forfeited.
“I stand together with Attorney General Ferguson in fighting for justice for patients who were prescribed opioids and became addicted, because they were not irresponsible; they were deceived,” said Seattle city attorney Pete Holmes. “Addiction to opioids and heroin does not stop at Seattle’s city limits. This is the city’s problem, the state’s problem and everyone’s problem.”