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A class action lawsuit seeks to hold multiple pharmaceutical companies accountable for the Canadian opioid crisis.
The Canadian opioid epidemic class action lawsuit was filed by Dr. Darryl Gebien against companies including Apotex, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, and others.
Gebien says that he began taking an opioid after he suffered a ligament injury in his thumb. He says that he was prescribed Percocet.
Allegedly, the plaintiff became so addicted to Percocet after taking the drug that it took a significant toll on his life.
Gebien says he lost his license to practice medicine, and lost his job. He also claims that he was incarcerated and lost custody of his children, all because of his opioid addiction.
The Canadian opioid crisis class action lawsuit claims that all of the companies named as defendants market, sell, and distribute opioids in Canada.
According to the Canadian opioids class action lawsuit, opioids are a class of drugs that are made from a compound naturally found in the opium poppy plant, or made from a synthetic version of the compound.
Allegedly, some opioid drugs include Butorphanol, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Meperidine, Methadone, Morphine, Normethadone, Opium, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Pentazocine, Tapentadol, and Tramadol.
Gebien explains that opioids are “powerful narcotics” that dull the perception of pain by binding to spinal cord and brain receptors.
Allegedly, the drugs are very addictive, and can give the user a “high” that is characterized by a euphoric feeling. Gebien says that if a patient uses the drugs over a period of time, they may develop a tolerance of the drugs.
If a patient develops a tolerance, they allegedly have an increased risk of becoming addicted, experiencing withdrawal, or overdosing. Gabien explains that the drugs can be fatal if used at higher doses, because they can slow a user’s breathing extensively.
Gabien describes the withdrawal symptoms of opioid use as including nausea, muscle pain, depression, anxiety, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, and chills.
The Canadian opioid class action lawsuit says that until the mid-1990s, they were largely not used for long-term use, because of concerns over their addictive properties.
However, in the 1990s, drug companies allegedly developed a marketing narrative to convince the public that opioids were not as addictive as previously thought, and that pain was under-treated. Allegedly, this was done to increase the sale and use of opioids, in the interest of profits.
The opioid crisis class action lawsuit says that because of this inaccurate campaign, many people began using opioids for long-term use and developed serious opioid addictions. Allegedly, these addictions have serious impacts on the lives of patients like Gabien, and in some cases, cost patients their lives.
Have you ever been prescribed opioids for pain management? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
Gebien is represented by Kirk M. Baert and Adam Tanel of Koskie Minsky LLP.
The Canadian Opioid Crisis Class Action Lawsuit is Darryl Gebien v. Apotex Inc., et al., Case No. cv-19-00620048-00cp, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Canada.
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39 thoughts onCanadians File Opioid Crisis Class Action Lawsuit
I was prescribed Demerol, open prescription by my doctor, I ended over dosing, spent 28 days in hospital tied up to the bed cause if they let me out to go for a smoke I could not remember where my room was and would wonder in the hospital, was released under my parents supervision, got my drivers license taken away, banking cards, everything, I was suffering from extreme short term memory, after a year, I left to go back to my now husband. Can’t hold a job with responsibility cause I now suffer from short term memory.
i was prescribed percocett by my doctor for back trouble at the age of 17 and became addicted soon after.After becoming addicted he discharged me as a patient and was left to my own devices.I am currently on a methadone maintenence program for 30 plus years and things are no better.
20+ yrs on opiods for chronic pain back injury obtained as an RN, on the job. Lost my md due to retirement, unable to keep up my script for my narcotic pain meds, had to go on Suboxone so as not to go into withdrawal. My mind is foggy and memory is bleak, no longer able to nurse. This is a horrible crisis, worldwide epidemic.
I was prescribed percocet for pain relating to my Fibromyalgia. At first it was 1 pill a day and I was pain free. As time went on they became less and less effective. To the point 1 pill lasted 30-60minutes max. That is when they put me on Suboxone. I am now missing or partially missing 5 teeth. How can I get onto the law suit so I can get a proper smile??? Since they are no closer to finding a cure for Fibro I’m stuck in a catch 22. Thank you
prescribed methadone/methadose around 8 years ago as I couldn’t get a pain doctor and I was advised this would be a good temporary fix. This has turned into more than a fix, but a opiod addiction and moreover severe tooth decay when I used to have perfect teeth with no missing teeth, I am now in a terrible predicament of losing more teeth, having teeth already pulled, teeth decay that it beyond anything any dentist wishes to help me with and I’m just 38 now!
In just a few years my teeth went from great to a full mouth of restoration needed that I can’t get done as I am now on a program that takes everything from my life with all its appointments and daily visits to a pharmacy. I have asked to come down so many times but these doctors just push more and more on you. They never said I’d have this kind of tooth decay. Never told me to use a straw when ingesting it to avoid my teeth, or anything at alll about my teeth!
I also now have memory issues and poor concentration and a “foggy” head when my memory and and mind used to be my sharpest asset. Apparently long term overuse of methadone causes this and should be taken off the patient before or when this occurs. told my doctor long while back but he doesn’t care. I’m still fighting him to take me off it…And he refuses!
I lost my partner two years ago just 44 years of age. I believe this is a huge part of the reason he died and his state before he died fir good reason. Please contact me, I have a lot more useful information from years of knowing people on it, deaths from overdoses from people on it and much more. This is a serious problem…NOT a fix or alternative to pain therapy!!
i’ve been subscribed Suboxone for my neck pain a few years back…. i asked my Dr of side-effects and there was no mention of tooth decay. upon receiving prescription from pharmacy, we checked paperwork and again, no warning about teeth decay ! I am now in the process of getting a top denture and paying extensively to try keep what i have left on the bottom !
I HAVE LOST MY SMILE !!!!
terrible prescription !!
hi
i’d like to join a class action lawsuit.
20+ years taking opioids and im still on them
please contact thank you
I have had to use opioids for years. I have to change careers three times because of it. OHIP keeps cutting back different forms of alternative treatments s leaving no choice but to continue with opioids which are just placing a band-aid in the initial problem. Please tell me how to get involved. I would love to share my story.
I hope there is a community where people who have suffered major tooth decay after being prescribed Suboxone can voice publicly the damage that this drug has done to them. I am unfortunately going back to my dentist to remove the rest of my teeth after experiencing horrible tooth decay in a very short time. If there is any other information that allows people to come forward with their grievances, I would be very interested. This has has been extremely difficult health wise and has affected my self esteem. IVE LOST ALL MY TEETH AND NO ONE WARNED ME ABOUT SUBOXONE!!!
I was prescribed oxys and t3’s due to back pain within 2 months I was addicted and the worst part not only was I addicted but My daughters had stolen a month’s supply of my pain killers and then they became addicted, it wasn’t bad enough my life was ruined but theirs was also, they were only 16 and 19 and believe me if I had known about the addiction it caused and what would happen I would have had those things locked right up, but at that time I thought nothing of it and just left them on my dresser. Now all 3 of us have had nothing but hadship in our lives , Ive managed to stay on methadone to help me but my daughters didnt they tried it for a while but the pull was to much and they just kept going back to the dope and one daughter has been hospitalized twice with endocarditis and nearly died she alos spends approx 6 months of the year in jail from mostly stealing to finance her drug habit, they both have criminal records that started about 3 months after they became addicted , neither one has children or in a relationship , the youngest daughter is now living in assisted housing because shes gotten mental health issues since age 22 and hallucinates and cant take care of herself at all . Their father , my husband passed away in dec 2020 from overdose of opiates
Hello, I would like to join the lawsuit, I have been on methadone for a long time now and still no better. I feel sicker than before and with more side effects.
I want to join the suit. My beautiful teeth fell out now I need dentures
Me too my teeth fell oit
Please tell me how I can join. Leave a email I can contact you at. I experienced 3 month hospital stay and life long disability due to overdose on fentanyl