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Purdue Pharma class action opioid crisis settlement:
- Who: Opioid manufacturer Purdue Canada agreed to a settlement with British Columbia.
- Why: The settlement is a result of British Columbia’s efforts to recover healthcare costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
- Where: The opioid crisis settlement was reached in British Columbia.
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Canada agreed to a $150 million settlement in Canada to end claims it should pay for millions in healthcare costs related to the impact of the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medications.
The settlement was reached in relation to a class action lawsuit brought by British Columbia on behalf of all Canadian governments, the Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia says in a June 29 press release.
“B.C.’s efforts to negotiate this unique settlement, together with other Canadian governments, paves the way for additional settlements to be reached in the ongoing litigation against other manufacturers and distributors of opioid products,” Attorney General David Eby says. “We know that no amount of money can bring back those who have died, but we are committed to holding corporations and others accountable for acts of alleged wrongdoing committed in the manufacturing and distribution of opioid products.”
Purdue Pharma class action lawsuit launched in 2018
B.C. launched the class action lawsuit in 2018. It alleges that opioid manufacturers, distributors and their consultants engaged in deceptive marketing practices with a view to increase sales, resulting in increased rates of addiction and overdose.
Purdue Canada is one among over 40 manufacturers and distributors named in the class action.
The opioid crisis settlement with Purdue Canada has been agreed to by all federal, provincial and territorial governments and totals $150 million in monetary benefits, plus additional benefits including access to information and documents relevant to the lawsuit, the release states.
This is the largest settlement of a governmental health claim in Canadian history. The proposed agreement is still subject to final approval by the courts, expected in the next few months.
In 2021, provincial governments asked for a court order to lift an injunction that halted legal proceedings in Canada against Purdue.
Lawyers for the provinces filed claims against Purdue totalling $67.4 billion in regard to the opioid crisis.
The provinces claimed they are entitled to restitution for the healthcare costs they have incurred because of the opioid crisis, which they allege Purdue is responsible for on account of its commitment to OxyContin, which it released 25 years ago before pulling in 2012.
Other powerful drugs, such as fentanyl, have filled the void left by OxyContin and help continue a crisis which has claimed 21,174 lives in Canada between January 2016 and December 2020, according to the Purdue Pharma class action.
What do you think of this opioid crisis settlement with Purdue? Let us know in the comments!
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3 thoughts onPurdue Pharma class action over company’s role in opioid crisis settled
Been on both oxy and fentenal patches since 2006. In fact I’m still on them only it’s now oxy neo and hydromorphone. It controls your entire life and those around you
Am I able to join this? Or does the claim go to the government, and not the “individuals”? Are there any Canadian class action suits regarding opioids?
I went through two decades of pure he’ll, died in front of my wife as well a second time in front of my oldest daughter while on oxycod9ne and long acting hydromorphone. Apparently near the end I was taking up to 50 oxy 10mg daily sometimes more as well 150 MG of hydromorph. Literally it destroyed me, destroyed my marriage and lost access to my kids. Total destruction of a valuable life. How do I get aboard this class action suit in British Columbia? I. Begging for help