Koskie Minsky LLP in Toronto commenced a class action today against 28 major pharmaceutical companies. The action was commenced on behalf of all persons in Canada who were prescribed and became addicted to opioids.
The Statement of Claim, issued in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on May 15, 2019, alleges that the 28 pharmaceutical companies commenced a campaign promoting the use of opioids for various chronic conditions in the 1990s, which led to widespread addiction among individuals who were prescribed those medications.
This action comes on the heels of medical findings that opioids are no more effective than NSAIDS at treating many chronic conditions for which they are routinely prescribed. The lawsuit alleges that manufactures knew of this limited efficacy, and the significant risk of addiction, but promoted their products for these uses anyway.
The claim alleges that the defendants conspired, and were negligent in their research, development, manufacture, testing, regulatory licencing, distribution, sale and marketing of opioids. The lawsuit seeks $1.1 billion in damages.