GREENBELT, Md. (AP) - A Maryland county has filed a lawsuit against 14 opioid manufacturers and distributors.
The Washington Post reports the Montgomery County lawsuit filed Tuesday accuses the companies of deceptive marketing and failure to report suspicious sales, leading to “unprecedented” opioid addiction in the county. The lawsuit says prescription opioid overdose deaths increased from 27 in 2010 to 117 in 2016.
The suit says the companies violated county and state consumer protection acts and the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, among other claims. Deputy County Attorney John Markovs says the amount of damages that will be claimed still is being calculated.
The newspaper reports several named companies denied the allegations in statements or said they were working to stop suspicious drug orders and ensure appropriate product use.
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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com
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