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CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Statement on Attorney General Bondi’s Lawsuit Against Major Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding Attorney General Pam Bondi’s announcment that her office has filed an action in state court against some of the nation’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the national opioid crisis:

“Attorney General Pam Bondi has been a fearless warrior against the opioid epidemic. She is the leader Florida families impacted by this crisis can count on. No matter how big the opponent is, she has taken on every facet of this epidemic.

“Opioids have taken lives, destroyed families, and threatened our first responders’ safety and resources. From investigating fraudulent drug treatment centers to the exponentially higher prescribing rates in the workers’ compensation system, my office has seen the impacts of the opioid epidemic first-hand as we continue working to protect Floridians. National data shows that in 2016 injured workers who were prescribed opioids received three times the US prescribing rate. The opioid crisis has seeped into the workers’ compensation system, and is the foundation for unscrupulous drug treatment centers who victimize individuals for their own personal gain.

“I’m honored to serve with Attorney General Bondi on the Florida Cabinet, and fully support her efforts to combat our state and nation’s opioid epidemic.”

Attorney General Bondi Sues Major Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

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Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed an action in state court against some of the nation’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the national opioid crisis. The complaint names as defendants opioid manufacturers Purdue Pharma L.P., Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cephalon, Inc., and Allergan plc and related companies, and opioid distributors AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation, and Mallinckrodt LLC and related company.

“We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming 175 lives a day nationally and 15 lives a day in Florida, and I will not tolerate anyone profiting from the pain and suffering of Floridians,” said Attorney General Bondi. “The complaint I filed today, seeks to hold some of the nation’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors responsible for their role in this crisis and seeks payment for the pain and destruction their actions have caused Florida and its citizens.”

The opioid manufacturers allegedly used a campaign of misrepresentations and omissions about the use of opioids to doctors and consumers in order to increase prescriptions and opioid use, including false statements about the addictive nature of opioids and omissions of the severe risks posed by taking opioids. The opioid distributors allegedly shipped inordinately high volumes of opioids to customers in Florida and failed to report these suspicious orders of opioids, thereby fueling widespread diversion of opioids throughout the state.
   
The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the opioid manufacturers used front organizations and key opinion leaders to promote false messages about opioids.  This conduct was particularly abhorrent because the front organizations and key opinion leaders appeared to be neutral advocates for the use of opioids to treat chronic pain but were actually paid mouthpieces of the manufacturers. The distributors failed in their duties under Florida law to stop the suspiciously high orders of opioids they received.  Instead, the distributors placed profit over safety and continued filling the suspicious opioid orders. In the complaint filed in Pasco County Circuit Court, the Attorney General’s Office alleged that the defendants’ actions violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Florida RICO Act, and violated common law public nuisance and negligence. The complaint seeks damages, injunctive relief, restitution, and civil penalties for defendants’ conduct.

To view the complaint, click here.

To view some of the Attorney General’s additional efforts to combat opioid abuse, click here.