Florida has been amongst various states suing opioid companies and their affiliates, seeking compensation for damages and accusing them of fueling the opioid crisis.
On February 3rd, 2021, consulting firm McKinsey agreed to a settlement of $573 million over opioid advice. The company allegedly began deceptive practices to sell opioids to the public and worked with Purdue Pharma, a company that pleaded guilty last October for criminal charges.
About 47 states and the District of Columbia entered the settlement, including Florida. As a result, Florida will receive $40 million.
Read on to find out more about this settlement and what this means for Florida. Also, how to get help for opioid abuse in Florida.
Florida Receives Opioid Settlement
A recent press release from the Attorney General’s office describes McKinsey’s allegations:
“Today’s filings describe how McKinsey contributed to the opioid crisis by promoting marketing schemes and consulting services to opioid manufacturers, including OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, for more than a decade. The complaint, filed with the settlement, details how McKinsey advised Purdue on how to maximize profits from its opioid products, including targeting high-volume opioid prescribers, using specific messaging to get physicians to prescribe more OxyContin to more patients and circumventing pharmacy restrictions in order to deliver high-dose prescriptions.”
Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, released a statement on February 4th, 2021, stating:
“I’m pleased this money will be available to help Floridians very soon, and I will work alongside our great legislative leaders to ensure funds are allocated to areas hit hard by the opioid crisis. While securing these funds is a great win for Florida, our work is far from over, and I remain committed to fighting tooth and nail, both inside and outside the courtroom, to stop the death and destruction inflicted on Florida families by opioid abuse.”
The settlement will help Florida’s opioid crisis by funding programs and siphoning to communities hit the hardest.
According to the latest Florida Medical Examiner’s report from 2019, opioid-related deaths increased by 10%. Opioid-caused deaths rose by 15%.
While these settlements involve prescription opioids, such as Oxycodone, fentanyl is rapidly increasing in Florida and fueling opioid-related deaths. With McKinsey and other opioid manufacturers’ settlement, Florida can fight this pandemic and create new opportunities to save people’s lives.
Florida’s Lawsuits with Opioid Companies
This recent development with McKinsey is a good indicator Florida’s current lawsuits with other opioid manufacturers may have a similar result.
On May 15th, 2018, Florida filed complaints against major opioid manufacturers. Some have already pleaded guilty or paid settlements in other cases, including:
- Purdue Pharma
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals
- Cephalon Inc
- Allergan PLC
- Mallinckrodt LLC
- Cardinal Health
- McKesson Corporation
- AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation
Other lawsuits are with affiliates or companies associated with these companies as well. Florida hopes to seek compensation for damages from these companies to continue to help local communities.
Get Help for Opioid Abuse in South Florida
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