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Tampa Pharmaceutical Company Opioid Litigation Lawyer

Pharmaceutical Company Defense

The department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency in 2017. The emergency? The nation’s “opioid crisis” or “opioid epidemic” as it has been called. According to HHS, over 70,000 people died from drug overdose in 2019, 1.6 million people had an opioid use disorder in the past year, and over ten million people misused prescription opioids in the past year. HHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have targeted doctors and pharmacies for prescribing or dispensing opioids like morphine, codeine, fentanyl, Percodan, Percocet, Vicodin and the notorious OxyContin. Government agencies have also set their sights on the biggest fish in this pond – the manufacturers and distributors of opiate pain medications.

Some of the nation’s largest and most prominent manufacturers and distributors have been sued over prescription narcotic painkillers, leading to enormous fines and settlements, and this is only the beginning. Thousands of lawsuits across the country are currently seeking to hold pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors of all shapes and sizes accountable for what they see as deceptive marketing of opioids through means such as paid third-party advocacy groups.

The Tampa opioid litigation lawyers at Trombley & Hanes, P.A. are former prosecutors with decades of experience handling criminal and civil litigation in courts throughout Florida and nationwide. Contact Trombley & Hanes, P.A. to protect your business from government overreach and lawsuits that could threaten your very existence.

Opioid Litigation Is Exploding and Expanding Against Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors Nationwide

Civil actions against drug manufacturers and distributors have already been filed in over 3,000 state and federal courts across the country. A few major cases have been settled, but thousands more remain unresolved, and countless others have yet to be filed.

Not just drug companies like Cardinal, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, McKesson, Teva and others have been sued, but also pharmaceutical retail giants like CVS and Walgreens. Some cases have already resolved, with astronomical payouts to the victors.

  • The National Prescription Opiate Multi-District Litigation (MDL) resulted in a $260 million settlement in 2019… with just two Ohio counties and three drug distributors. In 2020, four defendants in the litigation agreed to a whopping $26 billion global settlement, but still the litigation rolls on.
  • Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin®, faced both criminal and civil sanctions. The Sackler family settled the civil claims against them for $4.5 billion, while the company went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
  • Indivior Solutions, the manufacturer of opioid addiction treatment Suboxone, was sentenced to pay $289 million in criminal penalties for unlawful marketing of an opioid drug. Indivior’s former Global Medical Director pled guilty in connection with drug safety claims. The company pled guilty to a felony charge and agreed to pay $600 million to resolve criminal and civil investigations from the DOJ.
  • The Justice Department obtained $1.4 billion from Reckitt Benckiser Group to resolve its potential criminal and civil liability related toa federal investigation of the marketing of opioid addition treatment drug Suboxone. The resolution includes the forfeiture of proceeds totaling $647 million, civil settlements with the federal government and the states totaling $700 million, and an administrative resolution with the Federal Trade Commission for $50 million.

Opioid Litigation Defense for Tampa, Florida Pharmaceutical Companies and Retailers

It might be only a matter of time until they come for you next. Trombley & Hanes, P.A. has significant experience defending individuals and corporate entities facing criminal and civil litigation with federal government agencies in the health care field and other areas. For strategic and effective representation in opioid litigation in Tampa, Florida or nationwide, contact Trombley & Hanes, P.A. at 813-229-7918.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Tampa Pharmaceutical Company Opioid Litigation

Are Federal Agents Focusing on Large Pharmaceutical Companies for Unlawfully Manufacturing Opioids?

While large pharmaceutical companies were the initial target of opioid investigations and litigation, many — like McKesson, Cardinal Health, Allergan, Teva, AmerisourceBergen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its parent company Johnson & Johnson — wholesale distributors of pharmaceutical products to small community retail pharmacies, pharmacies, and physicians became equally targeted for their “role” in the opioid pandemic. If you are being investigated for manufacturing, distributing, prescribing, or fulfilling prescriptions for opioids — whether you are a single person or a small business — contact our skilled Pharmaceutical Company Opioid Litigation Lawyers in Tampa — to ensure your rights, professional license business operations, and livelihood are protected.

Can Pharmaceutical Company Executives Be Charged with Opioid-Related Crimes?

As the federal government continues to cast a wide net to pursue charges against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors for their alleged roles in the opioid epidemic, pharmaceutical co-ops, compliance officers, executives, and other professionals are being targeted directly for significant federal charges like conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, willfully failing to file suspicious order reports with the Drug Enforcement Administration, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

If your role in a pharmaceutical company is being wrongfully targeted for prosecution because of the federal government’s overreaching role in all matters related to opioids in the U.S., contact our pharmaceutical company opioid litigation attorneys in Tampa today for help.

How are Parties Being Pursued Opioid Litigation?

While the specific parties pursued in opioid litigation will depend on the allegations and the legal strategies pursued by the plaintiffs, opioid litigation can take various forms, including individual lawsuits, multidistrict litigation (MDL), class-action lawsuits, and lawsuits brought by government entities on behalf of the public interest. No matter which litigation process you or your company faces, our dedicated pharmaceutical company opioid litigation attorneys in Tampa can help. Contact us today to learn more.

What are the Penalties for Pharmaceutical Company Opioid Litigation Convictions?

The penalties in opioid litigation can vary depending on the case’s specific circumstances, the claims made, and the outcome of the legal proceedings, but may include monetary damages, fines and civil penalties, changes in business practices, criminal penalties, and court-ordered settlements. If you are being investigated or are facing civil or criminal charges because of your company’s involvement in opioid manufacturing or distribution, contact our pharmaceutical company opioid litigation lawyer in Tampa for help right away. We can help mitigate the risks associated with this type of legal trouble and ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

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