Pennsylvania Sues Oxycontin Maker Purdue Pharma, Says It Targeted Seniors and Vets

The state of Pennsylvania this week filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, claiming the Oxycontin maker fueled the state's deadly opioid epidemic through a deceptive marketing campaign that targeted seniors and military veterans, notes NBC News (May 14, Winter, Schapiro). Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro claims in the suit that Purdue supervisors urged sales staffers to "focus on the geriatric population." The company also launched a website called exitwoundsforveterans.org, which "deceptively assured veterans that Purdue's opioids are not addictive." The lawsuit adds to the more than 1,600 claims against Purdue. More than 35 states have sued the company over allegations that it aggressively marketed OxyContin while underplaying the pharmaceutical's addictive qualities.