Authored by: Ollie Lammers
According to Law.com, a judge recently ruled in favor of drug companies against California counties that had citizens impacted by the opioid epidemic.
The judge found the plaintiffs, the city of Oakland and three counties in California, did not differentiate between illegal activities and overdoes and legitimate use of the drugs. The judge did note the California Legislature and FDA are aware of the potentially addictive nature of opioids when approving them for use. The judge also mentioned the organizations approve of the use of opioids in appropriate circumstances.
The judge also says the plaintiffs could prove a public nuisance case against the drug companies with the proper evidence. He also stated the court must draw a line between appropriate and inappropriate prescribing and using opioids, but the evidence presented did not prove either.
The judge also cited 86 documents by plaintiffs that did not contain false or misleading statements.
This ruling is one of the first significant wins in favor of the drug companies. The majority of cases against opioid drug companies have ruled in favor of plaintiffs.
Many of the companies, in this case, are the same ones that have pending trials in New York.
For more information on this case, click here to be taken to Law.com’s article.
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