Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney Blog | Pomerantz Perlberger & Lewis LLP

Kentucky officials have announced they are suing the manufacturer of OxyContin, the prescription painkiller dubbed "hillbilly heroin" because of its widespread abuse in Appalachia. The suit demands millions in compensation from drug manufacturer Purdue Pharmaceuticals.

The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for costs incurred in drug abuse programs, law enforcement and prescription payments through Medicaid and the Kentucky Pharmaceutical Assistance program. Purdue states OxyContin's packaging warns against the dangers of abusing the drug and that they should not be held responsible for people who abuse the drug. The suit seeks unspecified damages and the creation of a court-monitored fund financed by Purdue that would pay for a program that would notify users of the potential harms of the drug and spur research on the effects of the drug.

OxyContin is the brand name for oxycodone and has been blamed for hundreds of deaths in the United States in recent years. Its intended slow-release effect can be easily circumvented, and abuse has been especially high in states such Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. Kentucky decided to file the lawsuit after Purdue and three of its current and former executives pleaded guilty this year to misleading the public about the drug's risk of addiction.

If you or a loved one suffered due to a dangerous product in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania, please contact the experienced product liability attorneys at Pomerantz Perlberger & Lewis today to schedule your initial consultation.