Three more states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits June 3 accusing Purdue Pharma of falsely marketing OxyContin and downplaying the risks of addiction, which fueled the opioid epidemic, according to The Guardian.
Four things to know:
1. California, Hawaii, Maine and the District of Columbia joined dozens of other states suing the OxyContin maker.
2. At least 45 other states have filed civil lawsuits against Purdue Pharma, bringing the total to 48.
3. Other drugmakers, distributors, pharmacy chains and members of the billionaire Sackler family that own Purdue Pharma have also been named in some of the lawsuits.
4. Purdue Pharma denies any wrongdoing.