Are Drug Companies To Blame For The Overdose Deaths?

PROVIDENCE, RI — Atty. Gen. Peter Kilmartin on Thursday confirmed his office is working with other state attorneys general to determine whether pharmaceutical manufacturers have broken the law when they marketed and sold of opioids. Specifically, the investigation is asking if the drug companies created or prolonged the opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose crisis in the country.

The coalition of attorneys general includes Republicans and Democrats. They are using investigative authority, including subpoenas for documents and testimony.

Last year, 336 Rhode Islanders died of drug overdoses. Most of those deaths have been attributed to opioids. Through March of this year, 65 Rhode Islanders have died of drug overdoses. A similar picture has emerged nationwide. Opioids – prescription and illicit – are the main driver of drug overdose deaths, Kilmartin's office said.

“To truly address the opioid epidemic that is shattering the lives of families across our state, we must examine the marketing and sale of these highly addictive and deadly drugs by the manufacturers,” Kilmartin said. “While I certainly do not want to assume where this investigation may lead, I think it is fair to say that it wouldn’t be the first time pharmaceutical companies used deceptive sales and marketing of certain drugs for tremendous financial benefit. We owe it to the victims and their families to examine every aspect of this epidemic – from manufacturing of legal opioids to illegal diversion – if we are going to every truly get at the heart of the crisis.”