Pa. considering lawsuit against makers of OxyContin, other opioids
Photo by AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File
(Harrisburg) — A state official says Pennsylvania is considering filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers of opioids like Vicodin and OxyContin.
Gary Tennis, secretary of the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, says he’s talked with the state Attorney General’s office about a potential lawsuit.
And Republican Representative Gene DiGirolamo says he’s spoken with Governor Tom Wolf about the possible move in court as well.
DiGirolamo says the lawsuit would target companies like Purdue Pharma, which makes OxyContin.
He accuses it of misrepresenting the dangers of the drug.
Secretary Tennis isn’t offering many specifics yet.
“I’m a lawyer, and one of the things they teach lawyers, is don’t, in the media, don’t litigate your case because you get in trouble for that. If there’s a case in other states, I don’t know why there wouldn’t be one here, let’s put it that way,” says Tennis.
When asked to elaborate, Tennis didn’t have much to say.
Photo by Ben Allen/witf
Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Gary Tennis testifies before the House Human Services committee on June 15th, 2016.
“I can’t. With legal matters, things are, it’s a very sensitive process, so it’s not something that is ripe for that,” he says.
Tennis points to Kentucky, which reached a $24 million settlement with Purdue Pharma over its marketing of OxyContin.
But cases in other states – California and Illinois – have stalled.
A spokesman with Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s says it can’t speak about potential legal action.
Governor Wolf’s spokesman says it’s looking into the possibility of a lawsuit.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
