US court rules drug distributors not responsible for opioid crisis

Purdue Pharma charged for downplaying the risk of addiction in OxyContin

A federal court heard that Purdue Pharma misled regulators , doctors and their patients on the potential of developing an addiction from OxyContin . Purdue Pharma was charged with misbranding and downplaying the risk of addiction . Three executives plead guilty and Purdue Pharma settled US $ 635mn .

Synthetic opioids

‘ The Third Wave ’ arrived when addicts began to overdose on manmade opioids , designed to mimic natural ones . For example , Fentanyl is much stronger than heroin . Dealers will sell their pills , cocaine or heroin itself , laced with fentanyl for a stronger hit . Users are unaware and this causes an overdose .

A judge ruled in favour of drug distributors , AmerisourceBergen Drug Co ., Cardinal Health Inc . and McKesson Corp ., in a lawsuit which accused them of causing a health crisis in Cabell County , where 10 % of the population is or has been addicted to opioids

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