Local Town Joins Major Pharmaceutical Lawsuit

THE TOWN OF SUDBURY IS SUING SEVERAL LARGE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES FOR VIOLATING THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT.

THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT OF 1970 REGULATES SUBSTANCES BY PLACING THEM IN ONE OF FIVE CATEGORIES BASED ON SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING ITS POTENTIAL FOR AND HISTORY OF ABUSE. THE TOWN OF SUDBURY CLAIMS THE MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS FAILED TO ACCURATELY DISCLOSE KNOWN INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CAUSING THEM TO GO INTO THE WRONG CATEGORY. IN TURN, RESIDENTS USED LESS CAUTION WHEN TAKING THEM, AND BECAME ADDICTED-- COSTING THOUSANDS TO THE TOWN IN EMERGENCY SERVICES, TRAINING OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND NARCAN.

WHILE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY IS PURSUING OVERALL DAMAGES TO THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, TOWNS LIKE SUDBURY ARE SUING INDIVIDUALLY TO ENSURE THE FUNDS GO DIRECTLY BACK TO THE TOWNS THEMSELVES. ANY FUNDS RECEIVED FROM THE LAWSUIT WOULD GO DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP RESIDENTS SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION.

SO FAR GREENFIELD, WORCESTER, LOWELL AND EVERETT ARE AMONG THOSE TO PURSUE INDIVIDUAL LAWSUITS AGAINST MEDICAL GIANTS LIKE AMERISOURCE BERGEN, CARDINAL HEALTH, AND MCKESSON CORPORATION.