The case : New Mexico files a lawsuit against Opioid Pharmaceutical Companies
The state of New Mexico filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies holding them responsible for the opioid epidemic in the state, particularly in small rural communities.
According to the state, the these manufacturing companies pushed highly addictive and dangerous opioids with false representation to the doctors, downplaying the highly addictive nature fo these products and their ppotential effect on the patients using them. The distributors breached their legal duties to monitor, detect, investigate and report suspicious orders of prescription opioids.
The lawsuit is an attempt to further the state’s initiative to combat the opioid crisis through OPEN (Opioid Prevention & Education Network). It is believed that the users of these drugs are forty times more likely to be addicted to heroin than the normal users. The objective of the lawsuit is to bring changes in the marketing ad prescription practices of such drugs.
Business Law issues – Breach of regulations preventing unethical trade practices.
Businness law – Violation of consumer protection law.
Probable Outcome – The companies may be fined and asked to compensate the communities for their misdemeanours.
As a manager / owner of a pharma company, it is the duty of the leader to employ measures to prevent, check and control of such activities that may ruin the reputation of the company and make it prone to the legal suits.
I am surprised how such reputed organizations resort to such mean tactics by completely turning a blind eye towards the well being and interests of their patients, for petty business gains. This exposes the real unscrupulous face of these business entities that proclaim their customer friendliness at any given opportunity. Their action must be met with harshest punishment.
Reference URL : http://www.jurist.org/paperchase/2017/09/new-mexico-files-lawsuit-against-big-pharma-companies.php
