By: Zack Valdman Ohio’s opioid crisis has reached epidemic-type levels, and the statistics are shocking. According to the Ohio Department of Health, in 2016, 4,050 deaths occurred due to fatal unintentional drug overdoses (with over half of those relating to opioids), averaging out to around 11 people per day. From 2000-2015, Ohio’s death rate due to unintentional overdosing increased by over 642%, and this increase stems largely from opioid overdoses. Ohio is the second worst state in the country in terms of unintentional overdose deaths, and this epidemic continues to plague both families affected and the state of Ohio itself. In fact, the Ohio Department of Health estimates that combining both the direct and indirect costs of unintentional fatal drug overdoses, Ohio lost $2 billion in medical and work loss costs in 2012 alone.
On Monday February 26th, 2018, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine sued four major distributors of pharmaceuticals due to their alleged role in this opioid epidemic. Listed in the lawsuit filed in a state court are McKesson Corp, Cardinal Health Inc., AmerisourceBergen Corp, and Miami-Luken Inc. According to DeWine’s statement: “They knew the amount of opioids allowed to flow into Ohio far exceeded what could be consumed for medically necessary purposes, but they did nothing to stop it…” The lawsuit pursues both compensatory damages and punitive damages arising from the increased costs to the Ohio healthcare, criminal justice, and social services systems. Similar cases have been met with adamant denials of wrongdoing from the companies named as defendants in the lawsuit; Cardinal Health labeled the suit “unfounded”, AmerisourceBergen reiterated its commitment to reducing opioid diversion, and McKesson explained that it has reported thousands of suspicious drug orders in previous years. Whether this lawsuit is political posturing or a sincere attempt to help curb the opioid crisis is up for debate. The duty of corporations to monitor and attempt to diminish the amount of opioids is not defined, and some believe that rather than suing the corporations that manufacture the drugs, suing the clinics that distribute them in inordinate amounts would be a better use of time and resources. Others believe that corporations need to take more responsibility for this issue, and the lawsuits are well warranted. Regardless of where one falls on the issue, the opioid crisis in Ohio must be addressed one way or another. Whether the ultimate answer is lawsuits, legislation, innovation, awareness, or a combination of these factors remains to be seen. Sources Cited: https://www.odh.ohio.gov/health/vipp/drug/dpoison.aspx https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/12/21/ohios-overdose-deaths-soar-again-state-ranks-2nd-worst-nation/973220001/ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-opioids-litigation/ohio-accuses-drug-distributors-of-helping-fuel-opioid-epidemic-idUSKCN1GA2MG https://www.ohio.com/akron/news/breaking-news-news/ohio-sues-drug-distributors-in-battle-to-curb-opioid-epidemic http://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/ohio-hosts-innovation-competition-combat-opioid-crisis
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