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Opioids Media Report 10/28/16

    Traditional Coverage

  1. Opioid Makers Sued Amid Addiction Rise (JNJ, AGN)

    Oct 28, 2016 | Investopedia

    By Shobhit Seth

    Several U.S. states are suing opioid manufacturers like Allergan PLC (AGN), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Purdue Pharma LP, and Insys Therapeutics Inc. (INSY), alleging the drug companies failed to warn the public about the alarming addiction risks associated with their painkillers.
  2. Broome County could soon be suing drug companies (video)

    Oct 27, 2016 | WBNG Binghamton

    Broome County could be going after big pharmacy companies. Opiod abuse has affected many in the county, and officials say they are currently working on a contract with Simmon Hanly Conroy, a national law firm, that would represent them on the suit.

    3. Broadcast Coverage

  3. News 4 at 10

    Oct 27, 2016 | CW Buffalo NY

    View clip here: http://beta.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/24733693?token=6d134546-6326-4d8e-8002-25b506143e89

    4. Full Text of Stories Below

    Traditional Coverage

  1. Opioid Makers Sued Amid Addiction Rise (JNJ, AGN)

    Oct 28, 2016 | Investopedia

    By Shobhit Seth

    Several U.S. states are suing opioid manufacturers like Allergan PLC (AGN), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Purdue Pharma LP, and Insys Therapeutics Inc. (INSY), alleging the drug companies failed to warn the public about the alarming addiction risks associated with their painkillers.

    Broome County, New York, is considering filing a lawsuit against several major drug companies, saying they mislead people about the long-term dangers of opioids, especially their high addiction rates.

    "Shouldn't they be out there doing an ad stating what the real risks are with opioids and what it can lead to?" asked Broome County Executive Debbie Preston. "Because some opioids, they're affiliated with heroin, and they don't talk about that."

    In August 2016, the New Hampshire Attorney General blamed Purdue Pharma for failing to help with an enquiry into its highly addictive opioid painkiller, Oxycontin.

    Insys Therapeutics was next in the line of fire, when the Attorney General of Illinois filed a lawsuit claiming the company marketed its Insys’ opioid nasal spray to doctors for back and neck pain. The FDA has approved the drug only for treating cancer pain.Officials: Drug Companies Contribute to Addiction

    In 2015, the city of Chicago sued Purdue Pharma, Allergan, and Johnson & Johnson, claiming they contributed to the city's tragic increase in opioid and heroin-related addictions. (See also: How Allergan Plc Makes Money.)

    In the various lawsuits, the plaintiffs accuse drug manufacturers of enabling the escalating drug epidemic, and want them to share the costs incurred by local governments for treating such addictions, including the cost of treatment, rehabilitation, and law enforcement.

    Opioids work by reducing pain. Common side effects include constipation, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting.

    However, opioid is prone to misuse. Continued long-term use of opioids can lead to dependence, addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, anxiety, and irritability. (For more, see Top 5 Medicinal Marijuana Stocks of 2016.)

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  2. Broome County could soon be suing drug companies (video)

    Oct 27, 2016 | WBNG Binghamton

    Broome County could be going after big pharmacy companies.

    Opiod abuse has affected many in the county, and officials say they are currently working on a contract with Simmon Hanly Conroy, a national law firm, that would represent them on the suit.

    Broome County Executive Debbie Preston says the companies misled the public about the addictiveness of painkillers.

    "They should be doing a better job of marketing, they spend more time marketing the benefits than the risk," Preston said. "I think that's what they need to do, they need to step up and say there are real risks with this."

    The county said it is still unsure of which companies they might sue and for how much. Broome County wouldn't be the first county in New York state to sue big pharmaceutical companies. Earlier this year, Suffolk County in Long Island sued several major pharma companies for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic.

    "This isn't the one solution that's going to correct it," Preston said. "But what my statement is -- to put them on notice and certainly suits like this are going to take time."

    With election day around the corner, Preston's Democratic opponent says he's not sure if he would continue the lawsuit if he were to take office.

    "I think we need to have much more measured approach and take the resources that we do have and focus it right here on the local level," Broome County Executive Candidate Jason Garnar said. "This is going to cost Broome County money. I certainly can't say you know we would go this way or a different way until I actually see what Debbie Preston is signing us up for."

    While the lawsuit could take years to complete, the reward could be huge. Last year, Kentucky settled a $24 million suit with Purdue Pharma, the maker of Oxycontin. The company, however, did not admit to any wrongdoing.

    Officials say they are looking to partner with the same law firm that Suffolk County is using for its lawsuit against several pharmaceutical companies.

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    3. Broadcast Coverage

  3. News 4 at 10

    Oct 27, 2016 | CW Buffalo NY

    View clip here: http://beta.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/24733693?token=6d134546-6326-4d8e-8002-25b506143e89

    Rough transcript: new tonight at 10:30 -- trying to curb opioid abuse across the state is a constant battle for elected officials. now, broome county, new york could be going after big pharmaceutical companies. emily de vito tells us why some county leaders are blaming the companies over opioid abuse >>  it's a problem that continues to grow nationwide. opioid abuse. and now broome county is looking to hold big pharmaceutical companies responsible. a broome county exeuctive says the companies misled the public about the addictiveness of painkillers. >> they should do a better job of marketing. they spend more time marketing the benefits than the risks and i think that's what they need to do. they need to step up and say there are real risks with this. >> county officials are now working on a contract with a national law firm to file the lawusit. they're still unsure of which companies and for how much they'll sue. >> broome county wouldn't be the first county in New york state to sue major pharmaceutical companies. earlier this year suffolk county in long island sued many pharmaceutical companies for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic. >> this isn't the one solution that's oging to correct it but what my statement is is to put them on notice, and suits like this are going to take time. >> and with election day around the corner, preston's democratic opponent says he's not sure if he would continue the lawsuit if he were to take office. >> you know i certainly can't say you know we go this way or we would go a different way until i actually see what debbie preston has signed us up for. >> while the lawsuit could take years to complete, the reward could be huge. last year kentucky settled a 24 million dollar lawsuit with purdue pharma. the maker of oxycotin. the company did not however admit to any wrongdoing. 

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