Learn more about how the government’s strict enforcement of opioid laws is affecting big pharmaceutical companies and what the long-term results could be.

This April, in a landmark case, Rochester Drug Cooperative became the first commercial drug distributor to face federal charges for their role in the opioid crisis. Rochester Drug Cooperative was found to have filled several suspicious orders for opioids and to have turned a blind eye to potential opioid drug abuses.

The opioid crisis in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 700,000 people died from a drug overdose between 1999 and 2017. In 2017, 68% of the over 70,000 recorded drug overdoses were due to an opioid. It is currently estimated that about 130 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose.

With the growing epidemic and increased awareness of this public health crisis, there is a growing backlash against pharmaceutical companies that make and distribute prescription opioids. The recent case involving Rochester Drug Cooperative resulted in a $20 million fine, and two former top executives with Rochester Drug Cooperative are facing criminal charges for their role in promoting opioid drug abuse. These two former executives are facing up to 15 years in prison for their alleged roles. This case marks the first time that criminal charges have been brought against pharmaceutical executives for their role in the opioid crisis.

While this case with RCD may be the most recent case involving pharmaceutical companies’ involvement in the opioid crisis, it is definitely not the first.  Last year the maker of the pain medication OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, was sued by several states for failing to warn their customers about the potentially dangerous and addictive nature of the medication. In March of 2019, Purdue Pharma reached a settlement with the state of Oklahoma for $270 million. The results of the other lawsuits are pending.

While the pharmaceutical companies are being held responsible for their reckless and illegal actions, some believe this might not help the overall fight against opioid misuse. While large pharmaceutical companies were originally the main providers of opioid-based drugs, most opioid drugs that are misused today are manufactured and supplied illegally. Some people wonder whether holding pharmaceutical companies accountable will have much effect long term.

One benefit to the legal actions taken against companies that operate outside the boundaries of the law is that the money obtained from settlements and fines are often used to fuel the fight against opioid abuse and help to reduce the availability of opioids or help those who are struggling with opioid addiction. The recent federal charges against Rochester Drug Cooperative may not solve the opioid crisis, but it is a step in the right direction.

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Editor – Thomas Christiansen
With over a decade of content experience, Tom produces and edits research articles, news and blog posts produced for Advanced Recovery Systems. Read more
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Medically Reviewed By – Benjamin Caleb Williams, RN
Benjamin Caleb Williams is a board-certified Emergency Nurse with several years of clinical experience, including supervisory roles within the ICU and ER settings. Read more
Sources

NPR. “Rochester Drug Cooperative Faces Federal[…]e In Opioid Epidemic.” April 23, 2019. Accessed May 17, 2019.

Lovelace, Berkeley & Turner, Ashley. “Pharma distributor Rochester Drug Cooper[…]criminal opioid case.” CNBC, April 23, 2019. Accessed May 17, 2019.

Miller, Ken & Mulvihill, Geoff. “Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, settl[…] lawsuit in Oklahoma.” STAT, March 26, 2019. Accessed May 17, 2019.

Lehman, Charles F. “Suing Big Pharma Won’t Fix the Drug Crisis.” National Review, April 10, 2019. Accessed May 17, 2019.

CDC. “Understanding the Epidemic.” Dec. 19, 2018. Accessed May 17, 2019.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.