Opioid manufacturers named in lawsuit

Union County State’s Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds on June 26 filed a lawsuit against five prescription opioid manufacturers and their related companies.  

Edmonds said in a news release that the lawsuit is brought on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois, the People of Union County and Union County government. The lawsuit was filed Monday afternoon in Union County Circuit Court in Jonesboro. 

The lawsuit alleges that the pharmaceutical companies made numerous misrepresentations about the risk, benefits and adverse effects of opioids for the purpose of increasing profits.  

The suit claims that the pharmaceutical companies’ misrepresentations were in violation of both the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act and the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Edmonds explained  in the news release why he filed the lawsuit.

“Throughout the country there is an opioid addiction crisis. Illinois and Union County are no different,” he stated.

“This addiction crisis crosses all socioeconomic classes and includes your neighbors, friends, family members and coworkers.  

“All too often this opioid addiction leads to illicit drug use, crime, overdose and death.  

“We believe that the evidence will show that this crisis was brought about by opioid manufacturers’ drive for profits at the expense of people.  

“Opioid manufacturers through a coordinated, sophisticated and deceptive marketing campaign have led prescribers and consumers to believe that opioids were not addictive, addiction was easy to overcome, and prolonged use of opioids was appropriate for even low-level pain.  

“The representations of the opioid manufacturers are not supported by, and in most instances are directly contrary to, the scientific evidence.  

“We need to do everything we can to stop this crisis, and one of the ways to do that is to hold the opioid manufacturers responsible for their actions.” 

The companies named in the lawsuit include:

Purdue Pharma, which sold OxyContin, MS Contin, Dilaudid, Dilaudid-HP Butrans, Hyslingla ER and Targiniq ER.

Endo Health Solutions, which sold Percocet, Percodan, Opana, Opana ER and Zydone.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and its subsidiary Cephalon, which sold Actiq and Fentora.

Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, which sold Duragesic, Nucynta ER and Nucynta.

Allergan, which sold Kadian, Norco and several generic opioids.

Edmonds said that the lawsuit is seeking the following remedies:  

•Injunctive relief preventing further deceptive practices.

•Restitution of money acquired as a result of deceptive acts. 

•Disgorgement of profits which are the result of deceptive acts. 

•Civil penalties of $50,000 per violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. 

•Civil penalties of $10,000 for violations of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act against individuals over 65 years of age. 

•Fees and the cost of the suit.

Edmonds said that Thomas Lech, Ann Callis, former chief judge of the Madison County Circuit Court, and Greg Jones of the law firm of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli P.C. have been appointed as special assistant state’s attorneys to assist in the prosecution of the suit.