North Carolina, 5 other states suing opioid maker Purdue Pharma

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada and five other states are filing new lawsuits accusing a pharmaceutical company of using deceptive marketing to boost drug sales that fueled opioid overdose deaths.

Nevada state Attorney General Adam Laxalt alleges in a civil complaint filed Tuesday in Las Vegas that Purdue Pharma minimized risks and overstated benefits of long-term use of narcotic opioids including OxyContin.

Laxalt spokeswoman Monica Moazez says similar lawsuits were expected in Florida, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

BREAKING: Today, I sued Purdue Pharma over its deceptive marketing of OxyContin. Purdue repeatedly deceived prescribers & patients in pursuit of profits – and far too many North Carolinians lost their loved ones as a result. I will hold them accountable.

— Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) May 15, 2018

Connecticut-based Purdue denied the claims in an email statement that said it will defend itself.

Company spokesman Bob Josephson says the civil lawsuits followed months of negotiations with state officials to address the opioid crisis.

He says the filing by these attorneys general promises costly and protracted litigation.

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