JUNEAU — The state of Alaska has filed a lawsuit against the United States' largest opioid manufacturer alleging the company and its subsidiary fraudulently marketed its opioid drugs to prescribers.
In its lawsuit filed against Mallinckrodt PLC, Mallinckrodt LLC and its subsidiary SpecGX LLC, the Alaska Attorney General's Office alleges that through its sales visits to doctors and in its advertising materials, the defendants falsely "minimized the risks of opioids" and told doctors there were no negative effects from opioid use for chronic pain. Mallinckrodt also used "speakers programs" associations and "front groups" that appeared to be "independent" to tout the use of opioids, according to the Attorney General's Office.
“It is no secret that Alaska has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, and we don’t have time to lose,” Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson said in a statement. “My office is dedicated to taking all appropriate steps to hold accountable those who violate the law and jeopardize our public health and safety.”
Clarkson's office alleges Mallinckrodt violated Alaska's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (UTPA) through its actions, creating a "public nuisance" that led to the opioid epidemic.