Several drugmakers and pharmacy chains are hard at work responding to the hundreds of lawsuits accusing them of fueling the deadly opioid epidemic in the U.S. While billions of dollars are at stake for these companies if they are found liable, their reputations are now on the line — even before any judgements are rendered, according to NPR.
Companies like Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson are already trying to contain the fallout after evidence presented in court documents became public, revealing more about the internal workings of their companies.
In one instance, newly unveiled court documents found that Purdue Pharma executives embraced a plan to conceal OxyContin's strength from physicians in an effort to boost prescriptions and sales.
Internal memos included in the court documents also revealed that Purdue Pharma leaders developed a secret plan dubbed Project Tango in which they acknowledged the escalating risk of the opioid epidemic. The program was designed to help Purdue Pharma profit from opioid dependency by selling the company's addiction treatment services. The program was never implemented.
The drug industry has fought these disclosures at every turn, arguing that the documents should be viewed by the courts as corporate property.
However, attorneys are fighting for the release of these documents in an effort to hold the companies accountable.
"What Purdue's own documents show is the extent of deception and deceit. What's important to me is that the facts come to light, and we get justice and accountability," Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey told NPR.
In another case, Johnson & Johnson allegedly pushed unscientific theories about drug addiction to help persuade physicians to prescribe more opioids to patients although they were showing signs of dependency.
As companies work to maintain their reputations as innovative healers, more damage may emerge during another big opioid trial, which is set to begin in May in Oklahoma.
Read the full report here.