Kasey Kupcik

Hernando County Government

Public Information Coordinator
20 N. Main Street, Room 263
Brooksville, FL 34601
Office (352) 540-6426
Cell (352) 277-1069
KKupcik@HernandoCounty.us
www.HernandoCounty.us

MEDIA RELEASE
June 12, 2019
Hernando County files lawsuit to hold pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors
responsible for creating opioid epidemic
Consortium of national law firms to lead litigation against drug companies, alleging costs of
treatment for addiction, education and law enforcement connected to pervasive opioid abuse.

(Brooksville, FL) Hernando County announces that it has filed suit against the nation’s largest
pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors for their role in creating a widespread diversion
of prescription opiates for nonmedical purposes. The case was filed on June 6, 2019 in federal
district court in the United States District Court Middle District of Florida Tampa Division
(Hernando County, FL v. Purdue Pharma L.P.; et al: Case 8:19-cv-01388).

Hernando County has struggled to manage the costs associated with the rising rate of opioid
abuse. Drug poisoning and opioid related deaths have significantly impacted the Hernando
County community in recent years. Increased criminal activity is also associated with the
diversion of opioids, causing a budgetary impact upon law enforcement expenses.

The effects of opioid abuse have created other major public health concerns in Hernando
County. Opioid abuse, addiction, morbidity and mortality are hazards to public health and safety
in the County, and constitute a public nuisance, which remains unabated.

“Holding these companies accountable for their actions is a big step in the battle of this opioid
epidemic,” said Deputy County Attorney Jon Jouben. “We cannot simply sit back and let the
greed of these drug companies continue to devastate our communities. Our team is doing what
we can to put a stop to this crisis.”

The Hernando County suit alleges that many of the nation’s largest drug manufacturers pushed
highly addictive, dangerous opioids and deliberately misinformed doctors by claiming that
patients using the drugs rarely experienced addiction. The companies named in the suit include:
Purdue Pharma; Teva Ltd. (which acquired pharmaceutical maker Cephalon, Inc. in 2011);
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson); Endo Health
Solutions, Inc.; Allergan PLC; Mallinckrodt; and Insys Therapeutics, Inc. Drugs manufactured by
these companies include, but are not limited to: OxyContin, Actiq, Fentora, Duragesic, Nucynta,
Nucynta ER, Opana/Opana ER, Percodan, Percocet, Zydone, Kadian and Norco.

The suit also alleges that three of the nation’s largest drug distributors – Cardinal Health,
AmerisourceBergen, and McKesson Corp. – failed to monitor, identify and report suspicious
activity in the size and frequency of opioid shipments to pharmacies, in violation of the federal
Controlled Substances Act. Additionally, the suit names the nation’s largest Retail Pharmacies –
CVS, Walgreens and Walmart – for their role in failing to report suspicious opioid orders.

Hernando County has hired a team of expert law firms, experienced in holding the powerful
pharmaceutical industry accountable. Those firms include Baron & Budd; Levin, Papantonio,
Thomas, Mitchell, Rafferty & Proctor; Greene Ketchum Bailey Farrell & Tweel; Hill, Peterson,
Carper, Bee & Deitzler; McHugh Fuller Law; Powell & Majestro, PLLC; and the Law Offices of
Lucas & Magazine.

“The death toll from overdoses rises every day. Overdoses are at an epidemic level across the
country. Florida is only one state being ravaged by this atrocity. These companies knew what
they were doing, they knew the effects of these drugs and they failed to notify the public.
Taxpayers should not be held responsible for fixing a problem they did not create. We are
calling out these companies and holding them responsible.” said Jouben.

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