Calling the opioid epidemic a crisis may be an understatement. Each year, the number of deaths attributed to these dangerous drugs continues to rise. Pharmaceutical companies marketed these medications as safe, but the reality turned out to be much different for thousands of people across the country, including many here in Ohio. More and more evidence comes to light both through research and pharmaceutical litigation regarding the dangers.
In 2001, approximately 10,000 people lost their lives to opioids. By 2016, that number jumped to over 64,000. As if the legally acquired opioids were not bad enough, now a synthetic knockoff is being sold on the streets. The demand for the legal, and highly addictive, drugs created a business opportunity for those who may not care as much about the law.
Many question whether pharmaceutical companies care about the law as well. Numerous lawsuits helped bring the problem to light. The data seems to indicate that prescriptions for these drugs have leveled off in response to the addiction and overdose issues they present. This is when the illicit market rose dramatically. Some government agencies believe the pharmaceutical companies should take part in finding a solution to the problem, which many believe began with them.
Losing a loved one is never easy, but when it happens due to an overdose from a legal drug, it could make matters worse. It may be possible to initiate pharmaceutical litigation here in Ohio for that loss. The more people who come forward against the questionable marketing tactics of these companies, the higher the chances are that an end to the opioid epidemic may be in the future. Not only could a grieving family seek restitution for their loss, but also help in a battle being fought by hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people across the country.
Source: thehill.com, “Opioid crisis is just getting worse“, Reid Wilson, March 8, 2018
