California on Monday became the latest state to sue the pharmaceutical company behind the painkiller OxyContin, alleging it falsely promoted the drug as not addictive even as it emerged as one of the most widely abused in the U.S. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra accused Purdue and its former president, Dr. Richard Sackler, of stoking… Continue reading California Sues Opioid Maker Purdue Pharma
Tag: Big pharma
First Big Trial in Opioid Crisis Set to Kick Off in Oklahoma
The first major test of whether states can hold drugmakers accountable for the opioid crisis is headed to an Oklahoma courtroom. In a trial starting Tuesday, lawyers for Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter will argue that the marketing practices of Johnson & Johnson are to blame for widespread drug addiction that has devastated the state.… Continue reading First Big Trial in Opioid Crisis Set to Kick Off in Oklahoma
Purdue Pharma Hit with Fresh Round of Opioid Lawsuits
Six more states launched legal actions against Purdue Pharma LP this week, ramping up pressure on the OxyContin maker to contain mounting liability over its alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Attorneys general in Kansas, Iowa, Maryland, West Virginia and Wisconsin each announced actions Thursday. The moves follow a joint investigation by the states… Continue reading Purdue Pharma Hit with Fresh Round of Opioid Lawsuits
U.S. Government to Require Drugmakers to Show Prices in TV Ads
The Trump administration on Wednesday said it will require drugmakers to disclose the list price of prescription drugs in direct-to-consumer television advertisements, part of the government’s efforts to lower costs for U.S. consumers. The list price would be included if it is equal to or greater than $35 for a month’s supply or the usual… Continue reading U.S. Government to Require Drugmakers to Show Prices in TV Ads
House Oversight Launches Major Drug Pricing Investigation
The House Oversight and Reform Committee is launching a sweeping investigation into the prescription drug industry’s pricing practices, a major priority of new Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.). Cummings sent letters to a dozen different companies seeking detailed information and documents about how the companies price their medications. He is billing it as one of the… Continue reading House Oversight Launches Major Drug Pricing Investigation
U.S. Supreme Court Could Side with Merck Over Drug Lawsuits
U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday appeared sympathetic to Merck & Co in its bid to fend off hundreds of lawsuits accusing the company of failing to adequately warn patients of the risks of thigh bone fractures associated with its osteoporosis drug Fosamax. The justices heard arguments in Merck’s appeal of a lower court ruling… Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court Could Side with Merck Over Drug Lawsuits
Big Pharma Returning to U.S. Price Hikes in January after Pause
Novartis AG and Bayer AG are among nearly 30 drugmakers that have taken steps to raise the U.S. prices of their medicines in January, ending a self-declared halt to increases made by a pharma industry under pressure from the Trump administration, according to documents seen by Reuters. Other drugmakers set to raise prices at the… Continue reading Big Pharma Returning to U.S. Price Hikes in January after Pause
New Jersey Sues Pharmaceutical Company Amid Spiraling Opioid Crisis
New Jersey officials, taking on one of the state’s core industries, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson that manufactures opioids, accusing the pharmaceutical company of misleading patients about the addictive dangers posed by its drugs. It was the first time that New Jersey has brought legal action against a… Continue reading New Jersey Sues Pharmaceutical Company Amid Spiraling Opioid Crisis